Hydrogen-Powered Finnish Airships Join NATO’s Arsenal, Built to Withstand Russian Interference

Finnish startup Kelluu has secured a deal with NATO for its innovative hydrogen-powered, propeller-driven airships, designed for military surveillance, Business Insider reported on December 2.

The small, modular airships are already being tested in Latvia and other countries, providing a versatile, cost-effective solution for monitoring border regions, tracking military activities, and conducting long-term surveillance.

The airships, which can stay aloft for up to 12 hours, offer an affordable alternative to drones and manned aircraft, especially in areas with challenging terrain or where radar detection is difficult.

Kelluu’s airships, praised for their maneuverability, endurance, and resistance to jamming, were selected for NATO’s “Rapid Adoption Service” program, making it the first company to be chosen for national trials under this initiative.

Kelluu’s team is based in Joensuu, a small Finnish city just west of Russian Karelia, where its location offers a unique advantage. This proximity to the border means the company faces frequent electronic interference, or what they call “free interference,” from both Russia and Finland.

To overcome this, Kelluu’s airships are designed to resist jamming and spoofing, ensuring their reliability even in contested environments.

“While other firms may have to pay for tests, Kelluu’s airships must be resistant to electronic warfare to work in the first place,” Niko Kuikka, the startup’s head of engineering told Business Insider.

Read more

Category

World

How Finland Stands Guard Against Russia, Training for War Again

Dec 09, 2024 12:58

The airships are already in use for defense and civilian purposes, and Kelluu plans to scale production to manufacture over 500 units for NATO and other Western nations.

“Our intention in Europe is to manufacture more than 500 for the Western world, and we expect to eventually have 3,500,” Janne Hietala, Kelluu’s CEO, told Business Insider.

With their ability to operate in difficult weather conditions, Kelluu’s airships are seen as a valuable asset for military operations, particularly monitoring future Arctic bases or territories.

Previously, it was reported Finland’s Army held a series of major winter training exercises near the border with Russia at the end of November and early December to test the readiness of roughly 15,000 soldiers, including conscripts, reservists, and allied troops, to defend the country under wartime conditions.

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW