politics
Norway to Boost Capacity to Detect Drones Near the Border With Russia
The Norwegian Armed Forces are deploying air defence sensors in the border town of Kirkenes that can detect stray drones. "We must be prepared even though we do not currently see an elevated air threat," says Norway’s Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.
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In recent years, several drones from Ukraine have gone astray and the issue is high on the agenda in NATO countries.
The risk of this happening in Norway is considered very low. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that, for example, Russian GPS interference in the north could lead Ukrainian drones towards Norwegian areas, write the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), Finnmark Police District and the Armed Forces.
As a preventive measure, the Air Force will deploy NASAMS sensors in the Kirkenes area near the Norwegian-Russian border to strengthen the capacity to detect drones.
"We have seen in other countries that drones go astray. This is something Norway takes seriously. We must be prepared, even though we do not currently see an elevated air threat to Norway or the population of Finnmark," says Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik (Labor) in a press release.
Early detection and warning
NASAMS is a Norwegian-developed air defence system. Specifically, the sensors will help ensure early detection of, and warning about, drones in the airspace in the border areas. The Norwegian Armed Forces also have capabilities that can neutralise any drones that go astray.
"The experiences from Ukraine show how important it is to maintain a good overview and receive early warning. These sensors will strengthen our ability to detect drones in Finnmark," Sandvik adds.
As part of the measure, the Ranger Battalion at the Garrison of Sør-Varanger will also be reinforced with more than 30 soldiers for the remainder of the year. The deployment also means that the Armed Forces can practise rapidly deploying personnel and materiel to a new area.
Civil-military cooperation
The Norwegian government points out that the Armed Forces work closely with the police and other actors in the total defence to ensure a comprehensive and up-to-date situational awareness.
The police are responsible for following up and preventing unlawful drone flights. The Armed Forces may assist the police upon request. The police and the Armed Forces also cooperate to enforce restrictions in the airspace when necessary.
"This is a strengthening of Norwegian preparedness. Cooperation between the Norwegian Armed Forces, the police and other total defence actors is crucial to addressing more complex and serious challenges. Good coordination provides a better overview and strengthens public security," says Norway's Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen (Labor), continuing:
"I would also like to stress that the people of Finnmark do not need to worry and that the security situation in the north has not changed."
To conduct exercise
In cases where stray drones may pose an acute danger to life and health, the police will send an emergency alert to mobile phones in affected areas. This alert will provide information on what recipients should do to protect themselves.
In many situations, it will be safer to take cover where you are rather than travel longer distances to seek protection, according to DSB, the Finnmark Police District and the Armed Forces.
They advise people to keep away from windows and seek shelter in a basement or other places in a building where the structure is solid, such as in a stairwell.
When the air defence sensors become operational shortly, the Finnmark police will conduct an exercise together with the Armed Forces. As part of this, residents in relevant areas will receive an emergency alert.
