In Finland, a new innovation and testing corridor for border security and dual‑use technologies is being developed, stretching from the eastern border to the Archipelago Sea. As part of the Borderland Europe collaboration, the Turku region is responsible for advancing maritime security and maritime border surveillance. As part of this cooperation, the NATO Innovation Range testing event will be held in Turku from 1 to 10 June 2026.
A NATO Innovation Range testing event will be held in Turku from 1 to 10 June 2026. The event is part of the international Borderland Europe collaboration, which the Turku region’s development company, Business Turku, joined in March 2026. The testing period will also take place simultaneously in Joensuu and Riihimäki.
The NATO Innovation Range is the Alliance’s innovation and testing framework, where new defence and security technologies are tested in real‑world operational environments. The aim is to accelerate the development, testing and deployment of technologies critical to defence and security in a rapidly changing security landscape.
In Turku, the testing event will focus in particular on maritime border security, the protection of ports and critical infrastructure, and the testing of autonomous and dual‑use technologies in maritime and port environments.
– Turku has a long history as a forerunner in maritime activities, shipbuilding and port technology – often described as Finland’s maritime capital. Hosting the NATO Innovation Range in Turku is a concrete example of how the region’s expertise is being integrated into the Alliance’s maritime security innovation network as part of the Borderland Europe collaboration. This cooperation creates a significant opportunity for companies in the Turku region to access international security and defence markets, says Tero Niemi, Director of Business Environments Development at Business Turku.
The Borderland Europe collaboration creates versatile testing environments for companies
In addition to Business Turku, the Borderland Europe collaboration network includes Business Joensuu, which focuses on digital border security, as well as the DEFINE innovation environment, funded by Sitra and coordinated by the City of Riihimäki, which serves as a development and piloting platform for security technologies. Through the collaboration, companies, research organisations and authorities are provided with testing and piloting environments for developing technological solutions related to border security, comprehensive security and the protection of critical infrastructure, both on land and at sea.
Olli Ruutu, Director General of the Resources 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 essential to build innovation environments where companies, researchers and authorities can jointly develop and test new solutions. Borderland Europe strengthens this cooperation while also supporting the comprehensive security of Finland and its allies,” Ruutu says.
The NATO Innovation Range testing event will be held in Joensuu, Turku and Riihimäki from 1 to 10 June 2026 as part of NATO’s LCI‑X CRUCIBLE Series of testing events. The testing event is coordinated by the Digital Defence Ecosystem in cooperation with the Borderland Europe test areas.
Inquiries
Tero Niemi, Director, Operating Environment Development
Sofia Pihlava, Senior Advisor, Security and Dual Use