INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The war started by Russia in Ukraine has brought drones to the forefront of warfare
Instead of individual flying devices, the best performance is achieved when unmanned aerial vehicles are integrated into reconnaissance,
surveillance, and command systems.Additionally, effective lifecycle services are needed for drone systems, from user training to equipment
maintenance.From these starting points, Patria has been developing technologies for several years that enable drone solutions suitable for
systems, Nordic Drones.
Patria has strong expertise in developing defence equipment and scalable production
We also have extensive networks and long experience with solutions that meet strict Western criteria
solutions cover the entire chain required for mission execution, whether it is planning, command, payload management, result analysis, or
various reconnaissance and surveillance tasks
Patria has offerings in all these defence areas.
Patria aims for a leading position in drone systems by leveraging its strong technological
expertise and agile product development process
In indirect fire solutions, Patria has developed software for artillery fire control systems
alongside its mortar systems.
From the air, the drone sees the targets, allowing the system to automatically adjust indirect fire to the
sensors installed on drones
targeting instead of traditional indirect fire, such as artillery or mortar shells
In the future, both drones carrying mass-produced explosives and traditional indirect fire weapon systems will be needed
in drone systems.
A drone is a flying platform to which various devices can be attached and payloads transported
expanded with three drone products
Thanks to their modular structure, they can be varied according to the needs of military and security authorities and integrated into other
systems.Patria SKY is a versatile multi-mission long-range UAV system designed in cooperation with professional security industry operators
for demanding and high-level security use.
The typical payload of Patria SKY is a camera gimbal, whose video and image data is used, for
example, in indirect fire control and locating enemy troops, says Tikka.Patria ONE drone also has a modular structure, allowing payloads to
be changed according to needs
If necessary, the device can be controlled by fiber optics, preventing enemy electronic interference
explosives used in them are already in use by the defence forces
Patria GEO, a drone designed for terrain mapping
Thanks to its flight time of up to 74 minutes, it can map an area of over 100 hectares in one flight.
Product Development Considers Arctic
include software and interfaces to other systems in addition to drones.
A drone is a lifecycle product just like a fighter jet
Performance requires user training and equipment maintenance and servicing for years to come
Patria can offer comprehensive services for this whole, Sorri says.Patria develops drones with a modular structure and for Arctic
conditions, taking into account the functionality of the controllers with gloves on and the cold resistance of the batteries
Sorri says that
For example, the controllers have sufficiently large buttons in addition to touch screens, allowing precise control even with gloves on in
cold weather.
We are constantly testing the cold resistance of batteries, Sorri mentions.
Temperatures fluctuating around zero degrees pose
their own challenge for drones
According to Sorri, operational disruptions caused by freezing and moisture can be effectively prevented with the right material choices and
propeller blade shapes.
Ensuring operation in Arctic conditions also involves training users to keep batteries operational and ensure
performance even in challenging weather conditions, Sorri states.Drones Revolutionized Warfare Tactics
Engineer Major General (ret.) Kari
Renko, Executive Vice President of Patria, says that the use of drones has fundamentally changed warfare tactics in a short time.
Drones
patrolling in the air have made the battlefield more transparent
It is difficult to move large troops or vehicles without the enemy getting information about the movements, Renko notes.
In addition to the
rapid development of drone technology, the change has been influenced by the war in Ukraine, where new things are constantly being tried
Renko compares the development of drones to biological evolution
Many different things are tried simultaneously, the best of which are scaled for wider use, and poorly functioning ones are forgotten.
The
most effective solutions now are small armed drones with multiple uses
They are precision weapons that can be made cheaply, Renko says.
Renko emphasizes agility in developing drone solutions.
The development of
technology and performance needs must be closely monitored and reacted to quicklyWe do not yet know where technology will develop in the
features to drone systems, whether it is countering electronic interference or automatically analyzing data sent by drones, Renko
technological expertise to create new business opportunities and ensure security.Patria is actively involved in implementing the strategy,
including leading the eALLIANCE programme, which brings together Finnish civilian and defense technology expertise
Patria is also involved in the ACTUS programme funded by the European Defence Fund, which focuses on drone development and
regulation.
Finland is investing in the development and increasing the manufacturing capacity of drones, utilizing, among other things,
projects led by Patria
In February, the Ministry of Defence announced the launch of a new 660 million euros support program for Ukraine,
ordering new defense material from Finnish defence companies for Ukraine.
This would be a good opportunity to develop drone system
manufacturing capacity in Finland, which would immediately benefit Ukraine and create a foundation for scalable production if needed
