The development companies of Turku and Joensuu are strengthening national and European cooperation in the development of digital security, border security and dual‑use technologies.
The companies are launching the Borderland Europe collaboration, aimed at building an internationally connected innovation and piloting environment specifically for the needs of border security, comprehensive security, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
The collaboration brings together Turku’s strong expertise in the maritime cluster, logistics and port operations with Joensuu’s growing defence and security technology ecosystem. The platform brings together actors developing solutions for, among others:
- situational awareness and sensor technologies
- AI‑based analytics and decision‑support tools
- XR and simulation technologies for training and exercises
- drone and autonomous systems
- cybersecurity and counter‑hybrid threat capabilities
Strategic goal: a European‑level testing environment
The long‑term goal of the collaboration is to build in Finland a European‑significant testbed for border security and digital resilience, enabling:
- international pilots and demonstrations
- EU‑funded research and development projects
- the development of NATO‑compatible innovations that support European security cooperation
- faster market entry for companies
– Within NATO, new technology has become part of operational core functions – this is no longer experimentation but capability. Borderland Europe builds on the strengths of Turku and Joensuu to create a testing environment where solutions are validated in real maritime and border‑security operating conditions. When development is NATO‑ and EU‑compatible from the start, Finnish companies gain significantly faster access to international procurement and partnership opportunities. This is an investment in European resilience and technological competitiveness, not just a regional development project, says Sauli Eloranta, Director responsible for defence industry at VTT.
Towards stronger European comprehensive security
The partnership between Turku and Joensuu strengthens Finland’s position as a developer of security and defence technologies and builds a new bridge between the competence hubs of the Baltic Sea region and Finland’s eastern border.
– At the heart of this cooperation are solutions related to border security and comprehensive security, developed in real operational environments. Combining the maritime border surveillance of the Archipelago Sea with the security environments of Finland’s eastern border creates a unique foundation for European cooperation, piloting and business‑driven innovation, says Tero Niemi, Director for Business Environment Development, Business Turku.
– Borderland Europe is more than cooperation between two regions. It is a strategic initiative for developing European security and defence technologies. By bringing together the operating environments of maritime border surveillance and the eastern land border, we create a unique test platform for companies and researchers, enabling them to develop and validate solutions in real‑world conditions while strengthening Finland’s role in European comprehensive security, says Pauliina Pikkujämsä, Service Director, Business Joensuu.
Kelluu, a Finnish technology company operating the world’s largest fleet of airships, has long worked in Joensuu’s pilot environments. Kelluu produces precise, large‑scale aerial data for defence, infrastructure and environmental monitoring needs.
– We have demonstrated our capabilities in several demanding NATO exercises – from creating detailed situational awareness and 3D models of areas to airborne 5G base stations in arctic and GNSS‑denied environments. Kelluu is also the world’s first airship company to be integrated into NATO’s AI‑driven command system. Borderland Europe enables us to collaborate with top‑tier experts, integrate rapidly and continuously develop our solutions in our home environment in Eastern Finland, says Janne Hietala, CEO of Kelluu Oy.
Borderland Europe launches with a joint roadmap process
The initiative begins with a joint roadmap defining a concrete growth platform for companies and research, including:
- priority focus areas for 2026–2028
- development needs of pilot environments
- EU and international funding application plan
- national and European partner network
Inquiries
Business Turku – Security and Dual‑Use Ecosystem
Tero Niemi
Director, Business Environment Development
Business Turku
+358 50 386 7212
tero.niemi@businessturku.fi
Business Joensuu – Digital Border Security Test Environment & Ecosystem
Pauliina Pikkujämsä
Service Director, Investments and Location Services
Business Joensuu
+358 40 743 4362
pauliina.pikkujamsa@businessjoensuu.fi