Finland’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed on 9 April 2026 that it has filed an urgent request with the European Commission for €35 million to co-finance a nationwide network of drone-detection and jamming systems. The application, submitted under the EU Internal Security Fund that also supports visa-policy measures, would cover 90 % of purchase and installation costs at eastern land crossings and key Gulf of Finland ports. Border Guard officials say the investment is needed after two unmanned aerial vehicles crashed in South-East Finland on 29 March—the second confirmed to be of Ukrainian origin. Although no casualties occurred, the incidents highlighted gaps in radar coverage along the 1 340-km frontier with Russia and around critical maritime arteries used by passenger ferries and LNG tankers.
![Finland Seeks €35 Million in EU Funds for Counter-Drone Border Shield]()
For travelers and companies arranging visits to Finland—especially those with operations near the eastern frontier—VisaHQ can streamline every step of the visa application process. Its dedicated Finland page (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) offers real-time entry requirements, electronic forms and expert support, helping visitors adapt quickly to any new border controls that emerge once the counter-drone network goes live.
If the funding is approved this summer, procurement will begin in 2027–2029 and focus on multi-sensor arrays capable of detecting small quad-copters at ranges of up to ten kilometres, plus radio-frequency jammers that can force a rogue drone to land safely. The Interior Ministry says the same platform will feed real-time data to Migri, allowing immigration officers to correlate drone incursions with any surge in irregular crossings. For multinationals operating near the border—timber, minerals and data-centre projects—the upgrade promises fewer unplanned shutdowns triggered by air-space closures. Logistics firms also expect faster customs clearance if officers no longer have to ground traffic while investigating drone sightings. Beyond Finland, Brussels views the project as a pilot for integrating counter-UAV capabilities into the EU’s common visa and border-management toolbox.
For travelers and companies arranging visits to Finland—especially those with operations near the eastern frontier—VisaHQ can streamline every step of the visa application process. Its dedicated Finland page (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) offers real-time entry requirements, electronic forms and expert support, helping visitors adapt quickly to any new border controls that emerge once the counter-drone network goes live.
If the funding is approved this summer, procurement will begin in 2027–2029 and focus on multi-sensor arrays capable of detecting small quad-copters at ranges of up to ten kilometres, plus radio-frequency jammers that can force a rogue drone to land safely. The Interior Ministry says the same platform will feed real-time data to Migri, allowing immigration officers to correlate drone incursions with any surge in irregular crossings. For multinationals operating near the border—timber, minerals and data-centre projects—the upgrade promises fewer unplanned shutdowns triggered by air-space closures. Logistics firms also expect faster customs clearance if officers no longer have to ground traffic while investigating drone sightings. Beyond Finland, Brussels views the project as a pilot for integrating counter-UAV capabilities into the EU’s common visa and border-management toolbox.
