Government proposes measures to strengthen Border Guard’s preparedness in maritime areas and improve its ability to combat drones

On 10 September 2026, the Government submitted a legislative proposal to Parliament aimed at strengthening the Finnish Border Guard’s preparedness. According to the proposal, the Border Guard would be given powers to prevent and stop attempts to damage critical underwater infrastructure. The proposal would also improve the Border Guard’s ability to intercept unmanned vehicles, including drones.

A key goal set out in the Government Programme is to enhance the Finnish Border Guard’s powers to meet the demands of the current security and operating environment. The government proposal would improve the Border Guard’s preparedness and its ability to anticipate and react to emerging situations. 

In line with the proposal, the Finnish Border Guard would be given a new duty to supervise critical underwater infrastructure, along with the powers needed to carry out this duty in Finland’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. This supervision would be part of the Border Guard’s maritime surveillance activities.

The Border Guard would have the right to prevent or stop attempts to damage critical underwater infrastructure. In addition, the Border Guard would have the right, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to board and inspect a vessel suspected of sailing without a flag state in Finland’s exclusive economic zone. The Border Guard would also have the right to carry out an inspection of a Finnish vessel flying a false flag or refusing to show its flag.

The proposal includes several amendments and clarifications to the regulation governing the Border Guard’s powers. For example, it would improve the Border Guard’s ability to carry out technical surveillance and surveillance of the electromagnetic spectrum at internal borders. The aim is to improve situational awareness and surveillance capability at the internal borders of the Schengen area, including in situations where internal border controls have not been temporarily reinstated.