The Navy intends to use uncrewed systems on the surface, underwater, in the air and on land, from the open Baltic Sea to Finland’s archipelago and coast. It says the systems will supplement crewed platforms and take over some tasks now performed by personnel.
“In modern naval warfare, the ability to adopt new ways and adjust to sometimes rapidly changing conditions faster than before is absolutely necessary,” said Captain Henri Lavi, commander of the Coastal Brigade. “The new company-level unit is, for its part, a response to the need to make changes in the way we execute naval operations due to the developments of military technology.”
The company will work with counterparts in other military services, industry and international partners to develop and use the systems. Rear Admiral Tuomas Tiilikainen, commander of the Finnish Navy, said: “The Navy aims to integrate unmanned systems into our naval defence, either as separate unmanned systems units or by integrating the unmanned systems to be acquired into operational units, such as combat vessels or intelligence units.”
Patria demonstrates joint sea and air operations
The Navy announced the new unit on 5 November at an event in Upinniemi where the Finnish Defence Forces demonstrated Patria’s uncrewed systems operating together at sea and in the air. The platforms completed their assigned mission using Patria’s mission management system and were controlled remotely from two locations in Finland.
A Patria ONE quadcopter took off from the aft deck of a Finnish Navy Jehu-class vessel and operated alongside a lightweight fixed-wing drone and an uncrewed surface vessel. The surface vessel used Patria’s autonomy kit, which the company says can be fitted quickly to virtually any sufficiently modern vessel.
Patria says the systems can carry out surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. They can also be fitted with warheads for one-way missions.
“The development of unmanned and autonomous capabilities is one of the key elements of technology cooperation within the strategic partnership,” said Mikko Leino, executive vice president of Defence and Weapon Systems at Patria. “Patria has been able to support the Finnish Defence Forces with technological solutions that meet the requirements of the constantly evolving operating environment.”
