Sep 14 2023

NATO surveillance drone conducts first mission over Finland

RAMSTEIN, Germany - On September 13, 2023, a NATO surveillance drone concluded a flight over Finland, the Alliance’s newest member. The unmanned aircraft, traveling at high altitudes above Allies’ territories and in international airspace, collected data for Allies to support their collective deterrence and defence.

This mission was the first time a NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force
RQ-4D drone flew over Finland.

This mission was the first time a NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) RQ-4D drone flew over Finland. This mission came as NATO Air Forces continue to step up their reconnaissance missions on the Alliance’s eastern borders in the wake of Russia’s full-fledged war against Ukraine. Since 2022, NATO’s fleet of Alliance Ground Surveillance drones has conducted multiple missions on the Alliance’s eastern flank, predominantly in the Black Sea region. The flight on September 13 also helped NAGSF operators to familiarise with the new terrain.

NATO AGS pre-flight preparations at Sigonella for the first flight of an RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft over Finland. Photo by Fernando Sanchez Arjona.

NATO AGS pre-flight preparations at Sigonella for the first flight of an RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft over Finland. Photo by Fernando Sanchez Arjona,.

NATO AGS pre-flight preparations at Sigonella for the first flight of an RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft over Finland. Photo by Fernando Sanchez Arjona.

The NATO AGS Force Main Operating Base is located at Sigonella Italy. With Mount Etna in the background the RQ-4D aircraft  took off for the first flight over Finland on September 13, 2023. Photo by Fernando Sanchez Arjona.

Nicknamed “Phoenix”, the RQ-4D remotely piloted aircraft are among the world’s most advanced drones, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance over a wide area. The NATO-owned and operated aircraft are based in Sigonella, Italy and can stay in the air for more than 30 hours at a time. Surveillance and reconnaissance data collected by the aircraft and analysed by NAGSF experts are made available to all Allies to inform Alliance decision-making processes.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office