Drone Strategy for the Defence Sector - regjeringen.no
AI Analysis
The Norwegian government is enhancing its drone and counter-drone capabilities by focusing on acquiring new technologies and expertise. This includes developing smaller UAVs, maritime uncrewed systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, with a shared responsibility between the Armed Forces and Police.
Key Takeaways
- Norwegian Armed Forces to enhance counter-drone capabilities.
- Focus on smaller UAVs and maritime uncrewed systems.
- Shared responsibility for counter-drone operations with Norwegian Police.
- Emphasis on situational awareness and critical infrastructure monitoring.
- Need for research expertise and military personnel training in drone operations.
Why It Matters
Strengthening drone and counter-drone capabilities is crucial for Norway's national defense strategy, particularly in response to emerging threats and recent conflict experiences. This initiative aims to improve situational awareness, protect critical infrastructure, and enhance Norway's ability to conduct electronic warfare, thereby ensuring national security and resilience against adversarial drone activities.
Drone Strategy for the Defence Sector - regjeringen.no
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Drone Strategy for the Defence Sector
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4 Areas of action
In accordance with the overarching objectives, this strategy facilitates enhanced counter-drone capabilities, increased uncrewed systems deployment within the Norwegian Armed Forces, and the development of an ecosystem for drones and counter-drone measures. To achieve these objectives, the Government will take action in five areas.
4.1 Develop the Norwegian Armed Forces’ drones and counter-drone capabilities
Acquire materiel and expertise
Experience from recent conflicts indicates a significant need for counter-drone capabilities. Responsibility for military counter-drone capabilities and the handling of illegal drone operations is shared between the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Norwegian Police. The Norwegian Police are tasked with maintaining the basic safety and security of the population across the entire crisis spectrum below the threshold of armed conflict. The Norwegian Armed Forces, for their part, are responsible, among other things, for defending Norway against threats, hostile acts, and attacks.
The capacity to detect drone activity is of common interest throughout the entire conflict spectrum. This is being followed up, among other things, through further work on the recommendations from the white paper on Drones and Advanced Air Mobility (Meld. St. 15 (2024–2025)).
Several measures are already underway in the Norwegian Armed Forces; however, it is necessary to strengthen the development of the Norwegian Armed Forces’ drones and counter-drone capabilities. The detailed assessment of investment needs is being carried out through continuous long-term planning and force development in the defence sector. Emphasis will be placed on developing the capacity to use smaller UAVs, as well as maritime uncrewed systems. The aim is to strengthen the capacity for situational awareness and the monitoring of critical infrastructure; the use of drones as weapons and armed drones, including in response to adversary countermeasures; and the capacity to conduct electronic warfare.
Both military and civilian personnel are needed to operate, maintain, and utilise drones. The defence sector depends on research expertise to further advance operational concepts and technology for military purposes. Educating military personnel with competencies on planning and leading the integrated use of drones in military operations takes time and requires an up-to-date conceptual understanding of drone use and counter-drone capabilities. Therefore, the Norwegian Armed Forces need to develop, recruit, and retain core expertise related to the development and use of drones. Which types of expertise must be produced within the Norwegian Armed Forces, and which types