Work on trial fencing along Southeast Finland's border with Russia may begin as early as this summer, according to Matti Pitkäniity, head of the Border Guard's international cooperation unit.
The fencing is likely to be installed in separate sections, he told Yle TV1's morning show on Friday.
"You have to keep in mind that we have a 1,340 km border with Russia. I personally estimate that [fencing measuring] about 100-250 km would be appropriate," Pitkäniitty said.
On Thursday, MPs unanimously approved changes to the country's border laws, allowing Finland to limit or shut down border entry points entirely in exceptional circumstances. The change aims to protect the country from hybrid attacks that could potentially be aimed at its eastern border.
The law change also allows for the implementation of a border fence. To date, most of the fencing along the border is used to keep wildlife and domestic animals from crossing into either country.
Constructing and testing an updated fence is the next step, according to Pitkäniity.
If a trial section of the fence were built this summer, its functionality could also be tested during autumn and winter conditions.
"It's not just a fence, it [will have] a technical surveillance system, and will probably also require an access route," he explained.