Joensuu / Turku / Riihimäki / Helsinki, 24 March 2026

A new innovation environment for border security and dual-use technologies is taking shape in Finland as the Borderland Europe test environment joins the NATO Innovation Range (NIR) innovation and testing network.

In practice, Borderland Europe forms a Northern European border security innovation and testing corridor that extends from the eastern border security environments of Joensuu to the maritime border surveillance areas of the Archipelago Sea off Turku and the security technology development environments of Riihimäki.

The NATO Innovation Range is an innovation and testing framework developed by the Alliance, aimed at accelerating the development, testing and deployment of technologies critical to defence and security in real operating environments. The framework’s key focus areas include artificial intelligence, 5G/6G communication technologies, autonomous systems and multi-sensor situational awareness.

The first 10-day NATO NIR test event will be held in Joensuu, Turku and Riihimäki on 1–10 June 2026 as part of NATO’s LCI-X CRUCIBLE Series of testing events.

The Borderland Europe collaboration offers companies, research organisations and authorities testing areas for developing technology solutions for border security, comprehensive security and the protection of critical infrastructure. The network includes Business Joensuu (digital border security), Business Turku (maritime cluster and port operations) and the SITRA-funded DEFINE innovation environment coordinated by Riihimäki (a development and piloting platform for security technology).

The aim is to build in Finland a piloting and testing environment of European significance, where new security technologies can be developed and tested in real-world operating conditions. The platform enables international pilots, EU-funded research and development projects, and the development of NATO-compatible innovations.

Olli Ruutu, Director General of the Resource Policy Department at the Ministry of Defence, emphasises the importance of technological innovation in a rapidly changing security environment.

“Europe’s security environment is changing rapidly, and technological development has a direct impact on the operational capability of defence and border security. That is why it is important to build innovation environments where companies, researchers and authorities can develop and test new solutions together. Borderland Europe strengthens this cooperation while supporting the comprehensive security of Finland and its allies,” Ruutu says.

The aim of the collaboration is to accelerate the development of new security technologies and to strengthen Finnish companies’ access to international security and defence markets.

Further information:

www.borderlandeurope.fi

Finland’s Delegation to NATO

Timo Salonen

Cyber & Tech Policy Advisor

Permanent Delegation of Finland to NATO and the EU

Office +32 2 707 2351 Mobile +32 4 79 791 991

Business Joensuu
Pauliina Pikkujämsä
Service Director
+358 40 743 4362

Business Turku
Tero Niemi
Director in charge of operating environments
+358 50 386 7212