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Finland Unveils 'Steel Eagle' Advanced Combat Drone Designed for Ukraine’s Battlefield
![Finland Unveils 'Steel Eagle' Advanced Combat Drone Designed for Ukraine’s Battlefield Finland Unveils 'Steel Eagle' Advanced Combat Drone Designed for Ukraine’s Battlefield](https://storage.united24media.com/thumbs/1014x676/0/d9/99c6e1b98213685f231585f126339d90.jpg)
Finland’s defense industry has introduced the Steel Eagle ER, an extended-range combat drone designed in collaboration with Ukrainian specialists. The drone, developed by the Finnish company Insta, is set to be showcased at the SecD Day event in Helsinki on January 29, according to Finnish broadcaster Yle on January 29.
A drone designed for battlefield conditions
The Steel Eagle ER is currently in serial production, with only test versions flown so far. The design incorporates insights gained from the battlefield in Ukraine.
“Testing a drone solely in Finland does not provide an understanding of real combat requirements. Given the ongoing war in Ukraine, this system was specifically designed for frontline conditions,” said Tuure Lehtoranta, Director of Sales and Marketing for Insta’s defense division.
The drone is equipped with a propeller developed by a Ukrainian partner, an advanced radio signal system for control, a data relay function, and first-person view (FPV) goggles. The FPV capability enables operators to control the drone with real-time visuals from its perspective.
Advanced ammunition for combat efficiency
The Steel Eagle ER is armed with a specialized charge containing steel and tungsten projectiles. Tungsten, a metal known for its high melting and boiling points, is widely used in defense manufacturing. The drone’s projectiles can penetrate the roof of standard or lightly armored vehicles from tens of meters above.
![Shrapnel payload for the Steel Eagle drone. (Source: Insta Group Official) Shrapnel payload for the Steel Eagle drone. (Source: Insta Group Official)](https://storage.united24media.com/thumbs/720x/8/5b/fc6e00fdd496700befd37245c45305b8.webp)
Primarily designed for targeting infantry, the drone’s payload is capable of neutralizing enemy personnel over an area the size of a football field. According to reports, three such drones could be sufficient to inflict significant casualties in such an area. The system features a large operational range and enhanced resistance to electronic interference.
Finland’s growing role in drone warfare
Russia’s war in Ukraine has underscored the significance of unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare, with Ukraine employing drones in innovative ways, including naval operations and long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory.
According to the Finnish Defense and Aerospace Industry Association (PIA), over ten Finnish defense firms are directly collaborating with Ukrainian companies. Insta, a high-tech firm and strategic partner of the Finnish Defense Forces, is among them.
Ukraine has consistently adapted to battlefield developments, modifying commercial drones for reconnaissance and strike missions. Initial reliance on systems like the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 proved effective early in the war but later faced challenges as Russia enhanced its air defense capabilities.
The rapid pace of drone warfare development requires continuous adaptation. Western defense procurement processes, often slow, must keep up with the evolving needs of modern conflicts.
“Some solutions quickly become obsolete and require modifications. This presents a challenge for Western weapons approval systems, which traditionally operate at a slower pace,” Lehtoranta noted.
Earlier, US-based defense technology company Shield AI opened an office in Kyiv to support the deployment of its MQ-35A V-BAT drones in Ukraine. The company has launched training programs for Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces and integrated local engineers to optimize drone operations on the frontlines.