Finland to compensate damage caused by drones
Finland's government is preparing a law that would let the state compensate individuals and companies for damage caused by foreign military drones. Currently no such compensation mechanism exists.
Finland's Ministry of Finance has announced that the state will in future be able to cover damage caused by drones. According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, under the new decision private individuals and companies will be able to receive individual compensation for reasonable damage caused by a drone belonging to a foreign state.
Compensation is planned to cover at least personal injury and material damage arising from a military-purpose drone belonging to a foreign state, or from handling such a drone.
No compensation currently available
At present, the Finnish state does not reimburse property damage caused by drones, since no legislation on such compensation currently exists. Minister for Local Government and Regional Affairs Anna-Kaisa Ikonen said that individuals should not have to bear responsibility themselves for possible damage caused by drones.
According to her, the government has decided that, when necessary, the state will compensate such damage on a case-by-case basis, even if the law does not explicitly require it.
Law will be temporary
Preparation of the law on compensation for drone-related damage has already begun. The law will be temporary, but can be quickly extended if needed.
