EU pledges more funds for Finland's border security, plans 'drone wall'

HELSINKI - The European Union (EU) will step up financial and operational support for Finland's eastern border security, including plans to establish a "drone wall" along the frontier, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said during a visit to Finland on Monday.

Brunner noted that the European Commission has already provided Finland with 80 million euros (94.09 million US dollars) in targeted funding over the past two years. In addition, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is launching a 150-million-euro equipment program, 90 percent EU-funded, mainly for drones.

According to a Finnish government press release, the Commission has proposed allocating 1.6 billion euros for Finland's home affairs sector under the EU's next multiannual financial framework starting in 2028 -- nearly one billion euros more than in the current period. Immediate priorities include enhancing drone and anti-drone capabilities for border control.

Brunner said, after meeting Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, that the EU is working on the Eastern Flank Watch to strengthen real-time surveillance of member states bordering Russia, including the creation of a "drone wall", which is expected to be delivered within the next two years.