Ilmavalvonta

Ilmavalvonta, or air surveillance, is the organized monitoring, identification, and tracking of aircraft within a country’s airspace to maintain safety, security, and control of air traffic. It is typically conducted by a national air defense authority and is closely coordinated with civil aviation authorities to manage both military and civilian air traffic.

Core tasks include radar surveillance using ground-based and, in some systems, airborne sensors; identification through IFF systems; data fusion to present a common operational picture; and the assessment of potential threats. When a potential threat is detected, the system coordinates response measures, which may include alerting civil authorities, directing manned interceptor aircraft, or guiding surface-to-air defenses.

Operationally, Ilmavalvonta is organized around a central command and control structure that receives data from a network of radars and sensors, processes it, and communicates with aircraft and other agencies. In many countries the center operates on a 24/7 basis and maintains interfaces with air traffic control to ensure safe separation in shared airspace.

In Finland, Ilmavalvonta is a component of national air defense and is integrated with the Finnish Defence Forces’ Air Force; the Ilmavalvontakeskus coordinates surveillance and response. The system has historical roots in Cold War era air defense and has evolved with digitization, advanced sensors, and international cooperation.

See also: Ilmavoimat; air defense; radar; air traffic control; civil-military coordination.