Nordic Defense Ministers and Chiefs of Defense Gathered to Enhance Joint Combat Power All Nordic defense ministers and chiefs of defense recently met in Helsinki. A key topic was the development of air forces capable of combined operations. “This is important for strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense in the High North,” says Antti Häkkänen, Finnish Minister of Defense.
Danish Drone Incursions Reveal an Embarrassing Defense Policy Blind Zone Comment: On Thursday night, the Danish Police, defense, and intelligence organized a press conference. The topic was the recent drone incursions at Danish airports and defense installations. Neither the uniforms nor the dark suits could hide the fact that Denmark is entirely lost in regard to what hit them earlier this week.
Ukraine War Reaches Arctic With Massive Drone Attack on Olenya Air Base Near Murmansk Russia’s Arctic region around Murmansk was a key target during Ukraine’s “Operation Spiderweb.” Swarms of drones released in proximity to the Olenya Air Base 90km south of Murmansk destroyed a number of long-range bombers and surveillance aircraft.
Nordic Defense Cooperation is Becoming Even More Tangible The Nordic Ministers of Defense will strengthen operational cooperation, enhance military mobility, and initiate drone collaboration. "These measures concretize the Nordic countries' efforts to be able to carry out joint military operations if deterrence fails," says professor.
Norway and Denmark to Cooperate on Maritime Drone Surveillance in the Arctic Norway and Denmark are joining forces as they both are investing in long-range drones to improve situational awareness in the Arctic and North Atlantic. On Tuesday, the countries' defense ministers signed a letter of intent on drone cooperation.
Norway Reopens Andøya Air Station as Base for Long-Range Drones The Norwegian Government reverses its own decision and announces a new million-dollar investment in long-range drones for sea surveillance in the High North. Andøya becomes central in sea surveillance and developing the Armed Forces' space operations.
The Norwegian Government To Strengthen Its Armed Forces Along the Coast The Norwegian Navy's Coastal Ranger Command, based in Northern Norway, is proposed to be upgraded and modernized at a cost of NOK 2.5 billion. "The government wants to strengthen the situational awareness and defense ability in the coastal zone," says Norway's MoD.
New Agreement Secures Danish Drone Surveillance in the Arctic A new Danish defense agreement allocates $400 million for long-range drones to increase Arctic and North Atlantic surveillance. The agreement also prioritizes setting up an air warning radar on the Faroe Islands. "We need to use more muscle in the region," says Denmark’s MoD.
Testing Drones in Arctic Health Care Greenland has launched a project to use drones to transport medication and diagnostic samples between the capital city of Nuuk and small settlements.
Andøya Space Center Establishes Drone Center While the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries still explores whether there is a need for a national drone center, Andøya Space Center positions itself to become the preferred choice should politicians give a thumb’s up.
