Sensofusion has acquired Finnish aircraft manufacturer Atol Aviation, expanding its capabilities from ground-based counter-drone systems into airborne surveillance.
The deal brings aircraft design and manufacturing capacity into Sensofusion’s operations, with plans to start production of new systems at Atol Aviation’s facility in Halli, central Finland, located on a former Finnish Air Force base.
Atol Aviation has developed platforms such as the Aurora amphibious aircraft and the Protector, designed for government and defense use.
With the acquisition, Sensofusion plans to deploy drone detection sensors on aircraft.
“Signal dominance cannot happen only from the ground, and radio transmitters are better detected from the air,” said Tuomas Rasila, founder and CEO of Sensofusion.
Compared to ground-based systems, airborne sensors can cover a wider area, as detection is less affected by terrain, vegetation, or buildings.
This enables broader monitoring in environments where line-of-sight constraints limit ground installations.
Security Concerns
Finland is increasing its focus on counter-drone capabilities as part of broader efforts to strengthen military preparedness along its eastern flank.
The country shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, shaping its threat perception and defense planning.
Recent incidents have reinforced these concerns.
In March, Ukrainian authorities apologized to Helsinki after two drones crashed in southern Finland, likely having deviated from their intended course due to Russian electronic interference.
In the same month, Finnish officials also reported increased Russian military activity near the border, including infrastructure developments.
