Photos by Anja A.T. Brekke/VG
In Norway’s new Armed Forces development plan, the main focus will be on drones. The decision is based on the experience of Ukrainian troops, who use drones on the front line for reconnaissance and target strikes, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told VG.
The plan for developing the Norwegian army includes training drone operators, developing systems to defend against aerial attacks, and integrating new technologies into all defense units.
Støre noted that the updated plan will be significantly more expensive than the previous one due to rising weapon costs and long delivery times.
“We are taking lessons from Ukraine into account so that the plan is as accurate as possible,” Støre said. The Norwegian Prime Minister highlighted three areas in the new defense plan:
- Electronic warfare: During Russia’s war against Ukraine, both sides use advanced technologies to disrupt enemy communications, GPS signals, and drone operations while protecting their own systems from similar attacks.
- Space technologies: Used for access to satellite observation, communications, and navigation.
- Drones and air defense: For protection against aerial attacks.
The Prime Minister met with Ukrainian soldiers who are training Norwegian troops and sharing their experience of using drones on the front line.
On the table in front of him were drones similar to those currently dominating the war between Ukraine and Russia. Some are used only for reconnaissance, while others are armed systems.
“It may look like a neighbor’s drone for photographing a summer house or children at vacation, but it can also be a weapon on the front line. These are the systems that allow Ukraine to preserve personnel and inflict significant losses on Russian forces,” Støre said.
