Minister Rantanen: The Government will strengthen drone defence

The upcoming supplementary budget will significantly improve the counter-drone capabilities of the Border Guard and the police. The Government agreed on this in its spending limits session last week. Discussions will continue in the supplementary budget session at the end of May.

Together with key authorities, the Government has been looking into ways to develop Finland’s drone defence over the long term.

- Improving the ability of the Border Guard and the police to detect and counter drones is an important part of our work to strengthen Finland’s drone defence. Along with defence, the Government will make significant investments aimed at improving the capabilities of the internal security authorities, said Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

A total of EUR 44 million will be allocated to the Border Guard to strengthen its counter-drone capabilities. The funds will be used for procurements to strengthen drone detection, identification and countering capabilities and improve cooperation between the authorities. The objective is to build a comprehensive, multi-layered counter-drone system consisting of fixed surveillance and effect systems along the eastern border and the coastline, as well as mobile counter-drone capabilities nationwide. In addition, the police will receive around EUR 6 million in funding for technical capabilities to improve the detection and positioning of unmanned aircraft, among other things.

In its spending limits session, the Government decided that the development, procurement and use of drones would be coordinated through multi-authority cooperation between the Defence Forces, the Border Guard and the police. To ensure efficient use of resources, prevention and response capabilities will also be developed in a coordinated manner.

Inquiries:
Requests for interviews with Minister of the Interior Rantanen: [email protected]