Finland and Turkey will conduct an Open Skies observation flight in Russia from 23-27 October 2017. Turkey will be the lead nation during the inspection.
The combined flight is based on a Technical Agreement between Finland and Turkey, which states the parties' responsibilities, obligations and cost-sharing arrangements. The flight will be conducted using a Turkish CASA/CN-235 certified surveillance aircraft.
Finland’s observation team will be led by Lieutenant Commander Kari Ahrnberg from Defence Command Finland.
Open Skies is an agreement that aims to promote transparency and security in Europe. The agreement allows the signatories to conduct observation flights and take aerial photographs over the territories of its member states when these have been planned and announced beforehand. Finland signed the agreement in February 2003.
