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Borders of the Future: How European Innovation Is Reshaping Border Security

New technologies — from drones to digital twins — are redefining how the European Union protects its borders. A large-scale demonstration in Turku, Finland, showed the promise of these innovations, but also raised crucial questions about their costs, risks, and long-term impact.

3 min read · 28 Dec 2025

Michalina Szpyrka ·

A Glimpse into Europe’s High-Tech Borders

From 1–3 September 2025, the Finnish city of Turku hosted a joint demonstration of cutting-edge border security technologies. The event was organized by the European Commission and the Finnish Border Guard, with support from the University of Turku (UTU) and the Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS). It was part of the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) initiative.

In total, 19 prototype technologies from 14 EU Member States were presented — including drones, AI platforms, advanced data integration systems, next-generation sensors, autonomous marine vessels, and “digital twins”. Most of these technologies are already close to real-world deployment, with a technological readiness level between 5 and 8.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the electric autonomous ship e/MS Salama, demonstrated live at Finland’s Regional Coast Guard Control Centre and the Aboa Mare Simulation Centre, developed by TUAS.

New Tools, Familiar Faces

Over 100 participants attended the event, including around 50 representatives from national border, coast guard, and police authorities across the EU, Schengen-associated countries, and operational agencies such as Frontex.

Their participation underscored a key point: these innovations are not just futuristic concepts — they are designed to be integrated into real operational work. Yet, questions remain: will adopting such advanced systems deepen the technological and financial divide between EU Member States? And can all countries afford to keep pace with this wave of innovation?

EU Funding Driving Change

The prototypes showcased in Turku were funded through EU research and innovation programmes, notably Horizon Europe – Civil Security for Society, as well as instruments such as the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) and NextGenerationEU.

These projects go beyond technical experiments. They are part of a broader EU strategy to link security with resilience, promote technological sovereignty, and support sustainable development. But they also raise a critical question: do these investments truly strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy — or do they create new dependencies on technology providers, both inside and outside the EU?

Between Security and Surveillance

Technologies originally developed for civil security are increasingly close to military-grade systems. Autonomous vessels, drone networks, and AI-driven platforms may be used to protect borders and save lives — but they could also be deployed for extensive surveillance and control.

This raises legal and ethical dilemmas. Can the EU guarantee that such technologies will always align with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights? Or is there a growing risk of excessive intrusion into people’s privacy in the name of security?

Innovation in the New EU Budget

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission proposed new Multiannual Financial Frameworks (MFF) that cover both Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund. The aim is to keep supporting research, innovation, and the civil security industry while strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and resilience.

This vision puts border security and technological innovation on equal footing. However, balancing innovation with market priorities poses its own challenge: will economic efficiency outweigh human rights and transparency in future policy decisions?

Technology: Europe’s New Ally or Challenge?

The Turku demonstration proved that innovation can be a powerful tool for cooperation and a cornerstone of Europe’s collective security policy. Yet it also revealed deep tensions — between safety and privacy, collaboration and competition, and autonomy and dependency.

Whether Europe’s new technologies truly make its borders smarter and safer will depend not only on technical success, but also on the EU’s ability to create clear, transparent, and rights-based frameworks that ensure innovation serves people — not the other way around.

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Michalina Szpyrka

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