Norway is deploying NASAMS air defense sensors and more than 30 troops to Kirkenes, a town 7.5 kilometers from the Russian border, to detect drones straying from the war in Ukraine.
The Norwegian Defense Ministry announced the deployment on Nov. 3. Sensors for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) will be placed in Kirkenes, in Finnmark county. An additional 30 soldiers will be stationed in the Sør-Varanger region.
Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said the move is preventative and not based on a new threat. "The experience from Ukraine shows how important it is to have a good overview and receive early warning," he said. "These are sensors that will strengthen our ability to detect drones in Finnmark."
Sandvik said drones have gone astray in other countries. "We have seen in other countries that drones go astray. This is something Norway takes seriously. We must be prepared, even if we do not see an elevated air threat against Norway or the population of Finnmark now," he said.
Russian drones have violated NATO airspace on several occasions. On Sept. 8, a suspected Russian Shahed-type drone violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace, forcing airspace closures and the scrambling of NATO fighter jets. On Oct. 3, five Russian air attack weapons violated Moldova's airspace and exploded on its territory. Violations have also occurred in Finland and Lithuania.
The deployment includes a new specialized unit within the GSV battalion in Kirkenes to operate the sensors. Regional authorities in Troms and Finnmark warned that Ukrainian drones targeting Russia's Kola Peninsula could stray into Norway due to GPS jamming. The sensors are likely electro-optical devices developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg.
If stray drones pose an immediate danger to life and health, police will send emergency alerts to mobile phones in affected areas. Residents have been advised to seek shelter in basements or interior parts of buildings, away from windows. Police are responsible for following up on illegal drone operations, while the military can step in when asked.
