Tampere to turn Teisko airfield into drone research and test site with Traficom funding

Tampere is turning Teisko airfield into a dedicated drone research and testing site. The city will run a development project through the end of 2027, contributing €53,000, while the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom, has granted €100,000, YLE reported.

Local defence-focused firm Insta has expressed interest in using the site. Tuure Lehtoranta, Insta’s sales, marketing and public affairs director, says the company has tested drones at Teisko for years and values having a nearby area for flexible trials. This week Insta announced a multiyear delivery agreement with the Defence Forces for FPV drones intended for conscript training. Joensuu-based Kelluu has conducted research flights there with hydrogen-powered airships.

Traficom’s grant is earmarked for a project manager’s salary, purchased services and improvements to the airfield infrastructure. The city frames the work as a preparatory study to assess Teisko’s potential as an R&D and testing environment, Irene Vekkeli, Tampere’s director of business and innovation, says. No final investment or usage decisions have been made, and the city emphasises that no single company has a special position in the project.

Motorsport and hobby aviation users of the Kaanaa area, operated by Tampereen Vauhtipuisto ry, say they are surprised and uncertain about whether their activities can continue after their current contract expires at year-end. The city has signalled it will look for an operator to maintain hobby facilities without a direct service contract because of budget balance needs, city official Lauri Savisaari explains.

This development follows recent local activity bringing drone startups and defence-tech firms to Tampere, including the IAS Growth Academy visit IAS Growth Academy visit and a dual-use defence summit earlier in the year defence and dual-use summit.