Photo: Kari Kuukka
- Next Article Stubb: Next 48 hours will show US response to Middle East crisis
A remote-controlled maritime drone startled a sailor in the Gulf of Finland over the weekend, drawing attention to Nato’s ongoing research exercises in the region.
Photographer Kari Kuukka encountered the vessel near Mäkiluoto island, south of the Porkkala peninsula. Initially mistaking it for a capsized sailboat, he approached the object and realised it was self-propelled and intact.
“I’ve seen a capsized sailboat with its keel up before. It looked quite similar,” Kuukka said. The drone, about eight metres long and bright red, lacked an active automatic identification system but was clearly visible in daylight.
After confirming it was not a vessel in distress, Kuukka photographed the object and continued his journey.
The Finnish Navy confirmed the sighting involved a Nato unmanned vessel. Communications Director Annele Apajakari stated that the drone was part of Dynamic Messenger, a Nato exercise focusing on unmanned maritime systems.
“This is not a combat exercise, it is research,” Apajakari said. She added that Nato had previously conducted similar trials in southern waters, but Finland’s recent membership allowed new testing opportunities in northern maritime conditions.
The exercise reflects growing interest within Nato to enhance collective defence capabilities through emerging technologies. The use of unmanned vessels is seen as a key element in developing flexible and scalable maritime security solutions.
HT
- Next Article Stubb: Next 48 hours will show US response to Middle East crisis
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
