Who Speaks for the Finnish Drone Industry?

In recent months, Finland has seen growing public concern about drones. Reports of suspected drone activity near critical infrastructure, drone alerts, Ukrainian errors, and increasing media coverage have pushed drones into the national spotlight. Unfortunately, much of this discussion has been dominated by voices from outside the drone industry itself.

When Finnish media outlets seek expert commentary on drones and drone-related security concerns, they often turn to familiar names from the fields of defence, cybersecurity, and politics. Individuals such as Jyri Kosola, Mikko Hyppönen, and Jarno Limnell are frequently invited to comment on drone-related issues and the potential threats drones may pose to Finnish society.

There is no question that each of these individuals possesses expertise in their respective fields. Defence, cybersecurity, and national security are all relevant areas when discussing emerging technologies and potential threats. However, an important question remains: where are the voices of the professional drone operators, aviation specialists, manufacturers, trainers, and industry leaders who work with drone technology every day?

This is not simply a question of representation. It is a question of accuracy, balance, and understanding.

The Finnish drone industry has grown significantly over the past decade. Professional operators conduct inspections of wind turbines, power lines, bridges, and industrial facilities.

Drones support emergency services, environmental monitoring, mapping, agriculture, construction, and media production. Across Finland, businesses and public organisations rely on drone technology to improve safety, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

Yet despite the industry’s growth and maturity, those who actively work within it are often absent from public discussions about drones. Instead, conversations frequently focus on worst-case scenarios, potential threats, and hypothetical attacks.

Security concerns should never be dismissed. Russia’s actions in recent years have understandably heightened awareness across Europe. Governments, defence organisations, and critical infrastructure operators have legitimate reasons to examine vulnerabilities and prepare for potential threats. Drones are one of many technologies that could be exploited by
hostile actors, and discussions about security preparedness are both necessary and responsible.

However, there is a difference between discussing genuine risks and allowing fear to dominate the narrative.

When media coverage focuses primarily on threats, public perception inevitably changes. Drones become associated with espionage, sabotage, and security incidents rather than innovation, economic growth, and public benefit. The result is that the vast majority of legitimate drone operations become overshadowed by suspicion.

This shift in public perception is already being felt by drone operators throughout Finland. Professional pilots increasingly report being challenged by members of the public, questioned while conducting legal operations, or confronted by individuals who assume any drone activity must be suspicious. Some operators have experienced hostility despite operating fully within Finnish and European regulations. Others have seen clients become more cautious due to growing public concern about drones.

This creates a difficult environment for an industry that is already heavily regulated.

Professional drone operators in Finland must comply with extensive European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. They are required to complete training, obtain certifications, conduct risk assessments, maintain operational procedures, and comply with strict safety requirements. In many cases, professional operators face greater oversight than users of other technologies that pose comparable risks.

Yet despite this high level of regulation and professionalism, public discussions rarely acknowledge the industry’s commitment to safety and compliance.

Another concern is the lack of distinction between legitimate drone operations and potential security threats. A professional drone operator inspecting a wind turbine should not be viewed in the same light as an unidentified drone operating unlawfully near sensitive infrastructure. Conflating the two only fuels misunderstanding and public anxiety.

The media has an important responsibility in this regard. Journalists play a crucial role in informing the public, particularly during periods of uncertainty. However, balanced reporting requires a diversity of perspectives.

When discussing medical issues, journalists seek input from doctors and healthcare professionals. When discussing aviation, they consult pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation experts. The same principle should apply to drones.

The drone industry contains thousands of professionals with direct operational experience.

These are the people who understand how drones are used in practice, how regulations work, what limitations exist, and what realistic threats look like. Their voices should form part of the conversation.

A more balanced discussion would not diminish security concerns. On the contrary, it would improve the quality of public debate by ensuring that technical realities are considered alongside national security considerations.

Finland has the opportunity to become a leader in advanced drone operations and unmanned aviation. The country has strong technical expertise, innovative companies, and a regulatory framework that supports responsible growth. However, this potential could be undermined if public discourse becomes dominated by fear rather than facts.

The future of the Finnish drone industry depends not only on technology and regulation but also on public trust. Building that trust requires informed discussion, transparent reporting, and the inclusion of those who understand the industry firsthand.

Security experts, cybersecurity specialists, politicians, and defence analysts all have valuable contributions to make. But they should not be the only voices shaping the national conversation about drones.

If Finland wants an honest and balanced debate about drone technology, it is time to give professional drone operators a seat at the table.