Finland has joined Denmark's airspace security effort as EU leaders meet in Copenhagen amid a surge of drone and airspace violations reported across several European states.
HELSINKI, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Tuesday approved a government proposal for the Finnish Defense Forces to help safeguard Denmark's airspace and counter drones during the upcoming European Union (EU) leaders' informal meeting in Copenhagen, the Defence Ministry announced.
The decision follows a Danish request for assistance. Finland will deploy a detachment equipped to detect and neutralize drones, which will operate under Danish command, with Copenhagen retaining overall responsibility for the mission.
"By joining the operation we send a concrete message of support to another Nordic country and NATO ally. Drones are a topical threat, and Finland has strong capability in countering them," Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said in a press release. The EU leaders' informal meeting slated for Oct. 1 will focus on European defense and support for Ukraine.
The move was prepared under Finland's 2017 Act on Decision-Making on International Assistance, Cooperation or Other International Activities, the ministry added.
On Monday, Sweden also authorized its armed forces to support Denmark's security during the meeting in Copenhagen, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced. Sweden will additionally loan radar equipment to Denmark.
He added at a press conference that the assistance reflects Sweden's participation in EU anti-drone cooperation: "We have capacity that now can be used."
In recent weeks, several European states have reported a surge in drone and airspace violations. Poland intercepted more than a dozen drones earlier in September, Estonia recorded unauthorized airspace crossings, and Denmark has faced repeated drone sightings over airports and military sites. ■
