Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy agrees on applying for additional funding for detecting and countering drones

In its meeting on 9 April, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy decided that Finland would apply for EUR 35 million in additional funding from the European Commission’s Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument (BMVI). The funding would be used by the Border Guard to procure drone detection and counter-drone systems.

The systems to be procured would significantly improve Finland’s ability to detect and monitor drones at the eastern border and in the Gulf of Finland. They would also give Finland the ability to counteract drones. The procurements would be made primarily in 2027–2029.

The EU funding could be used for procuring equipment and systems, as well as for system integrations and training. The funding would cover 90 per cent of the costs. 

The Commission’s call for proposals is targeted at Member States facing increased and complex pressures on border security, such as hostile or disruptive activities at external borders, instrumentalisation of migrants or hybrid threats. The aim of the call is to help Member States improve their surveillance capabilities at external borders by acquiring unmanned aircraft (drone) systems and counter-drone systems. A total of EUR 250 million in funding has been made available.

The objective of the BMVI is to ensure strong and effective integrated border management at the EU’s external borders. This contributes to internal security within the Union while safeguarding the free movement of persons within it. The BMVI can be used to fund actions that support the implementation of European integrated border management and the common visa policy.

Inquiries: Riika Väliahde, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 257, Ministry of the Interior

The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected].