Finland conducts maritime security drills and debates wind turbine radar use

Researchers from LUT University have challenged claims from defense authorities regarding the integration of air surveillance technology into wind turbines. Ari Järvinen, a visiting researcher, argued that concerns about private maintenance and foreign ownership are solvable issues. He noted that much of the military's current technology is already hosted on civilian masts, where locations and technical details are not kept secret.

Petteri Laaksonen, research director at LUT University, emphasized the necessity of wind power in eastern Finland due to rising energy demands. He suggested that installing small sensors on wind turbines would be a practical way to enhance air surveillance, particularly for drone detection. The university is currently conducting research into how radar sensors on turbines could support defense operations.

Separately, a large-scale EU-level maritime security exercise, Livex 2, took place off the coast of Helsinki. Led by the Finnish Border Guard, the drill involved over 300 officials from various sectors, including police, rescue services, and healthcare. The exercise included Polish Border Guard personnel.

The drill focused on vessel seizure, person apprehension, and casualty evacuation using the icebreaker Polaris as a target vessel. The goal was to strengthen cooperation among Baltic Sea partners regarding threats to critical maritime infrastructure. The exercise was completed without injury or material damage.