Finland has intensified its border-security training with a new series of helicopter insertion exercises conducted deep within the forests of its southeast frontier. In recent drills, rapid-response elements of the Finnish Border Guard deployed to remote landing zones aboard light utility helicopters capable of maneuvering through dense woodland terrain.
During the training, operators disembarked quickly into narrow forest clearings, spreading out to simulate reconnaissance, interdiction and rapid-reaction missions along the sensitive eastern border. The exercise reflects Finland’s expanding responsibilities as a NATO member and its intent to maintain a highly responsive security posture along the Alliance’s extended northern flank.
Officials noted that the units involved are specifically equipped for missions in areas with limited or no road access, allowing them to counter irregular crossings, track suspicious activity and secure key ground before additional forces arrive. Their mobility and terrain familiarity make them one of Finland’s most versatile frontline assets.
The increase in such drills coincides with Finland’s broader effort to reinforce surveillance and deterrence across its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia. By integrating agile, helicopter-borne teams with national air and land capabilities, Finland continues to build a layered defense framework that aligns closely with NATO’s strategic posture in the Baltic and Arctic regions.
