The Finnish Defence Forces will begin training conscripts to operate unmanned drones this autumn.
The drones will be deployed to all military bases in Finland — some of which have already received the drones, while others are still waiting for their arrival.
"The small drones we purchased for training purposes will support the mission of the infantry in particular. They can be used for reconnaissance, getting a better situational view and directing fire beyond the line of sight around bends and hills," said Colonel Juhana Skyttä, Inspector of Infantry at Army Command.
Modern combat skills
Finland has been closely monitoring the use of unmanned drones in Ukraine, but the decision to acquire them was taken before the war, according to Skyttä.
In Finland, special attention has to be paid to weather conditions when using drones. Freezing temperatures and visibility in bad weather bring their own challenges to flying.
"These skills need to be trained and practised. Drones are already a part of the final exercises for conscripts who joined the service in July," said Skyttä.
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