Hydrogen - Powered Finnish Airships Join NATO’s Arsenal, Built to Withstand Russian Interference

Finnish startup Kelluu has secured a deal with NATO for its innovative hydrogen-powered, propeller-driven airships, designed for military surveillance, Business Insider reported on December 2.

The small, modular airships are already being tested in Latvia and other countries, providing a versatile, cost-effective solution for monitoring border regions, tracking military activities, and conducting long-term surveillance.

The airships, which can stay aloft for up to 12 hours, offer an affordable alternative to drones and manned aircraft, especially in areas with challenging terrain or where radar detection is difficult.

Kelluu’s airships, praised for their maneuverability, endurance, and resistance to jamming, were selected for NATO’s “Rapid Adoption Service” program, making it the first company to be chosen for national trials under this initiative.

Kelluu’s team is based in Joensuu, a small Finnish city just west of Russian Karelia, where its location offers a unique advantage. This proximity to the border means the company faces frequent electronic interference, or what they call “free interference,” from both Russia and Finland.

To overcome this, Kelluu’s airships are designed to resist jamming and spoofing, ensuring their reliability even in contested environments.

The airships are already in use for defense and civilian purposes, and Kelluu plans to scale production to manufacture over 500 units for NATO and other Western nations.

With their ability to operate in difficult weather conditions, Kelluu’s airships are seen as a valuable asset for military operations, particularly monitoring future Arctic bases or territories.