The Finnish Border Guard’s current Dornier 228 surveillance fleet is about to be decommissioned. Acquiring new aircraft now means not only replacing the Dornier fleet but achieving significant improvements in performance and capability. The incoming Challenger 650s will offer greater operating time and transport capacity and will be equipped with advanced technical systems and modern surveillance sensors. Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) will install its RapCon-X aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solution that is rapidly configurable to any mission.

“The Finnish Border Guard is about to have a capability whose performance and wide range of sensors is state of the art, even in international comparison. It is a world-class multirole aircraft that is capable of operating in the Finnish Border Guard’s demanding operating environment,” says MVX programme manager lieutenant colonel Kenneth Rosenqvist.

Major general Matti Sarasmaa, chief of Border and Coast Guard division, adds: “The new surveillance aircraft will significantly increase Finland’s capability in border security and maritime security tasks, which is important in our difficult-to-predict security environment.”

Leader of the MVX programme Brigadier General Jari Tolppanen is confident now that it is progressing to the production phase. “The set performance goals are achieved within the budget frame. The agreement is balanced. Sierra Nevada Corporation is a very capable and experienced supplier of surveillance aircraft,” he says.

The CL650s should enter service in 2026 and 2027 and will be painted blue and white, with the registrations OH-MVX and OH-MVY.

The total cost of the acquisition is some 163 million euros; the financing covers two aircraft with their systems, training of necessary personnel, technical support for commissioning and spare parts.

The most important tasks of the Finnish Border Guard's aircraft are monitoring of land and sea borders, search and rescue, identification of ships travelling the Baltic Sea, and detection of maritime environmental damages and leading their response operations.

The aircraft also support other authorities in monitoring the situation of the Baltic Sea and monitoring Finland's territorial integrity. In addition, the systems of the Finnish Defense Forces and patient transport capability of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will be integrated into the aircraft.

“SNC is honoured to be a trusted partner to the Finnish Border Guard at this critical time in Europe,” says EVP of mission solutions and technologies Tim Owings. “The rapidly configurable nature of RapCon-X increases interoperability across Finland’s national security infrastructure, as well as NATO, and sets the Finnish Border Guard up for mission success now and in the future.”