In brief

• Norway is installing NASAMS drone-detection sensors in Kirkenes, a few kilometres from the Russian border.
• The unit will have more than 30 soldiers, placed in the Sør-Varanger garrison by the end of the year.
• The government calls the move precautionary, not a response to a specific new threat.

Sensors go up near the border

The Norwegian government said on 3 November that the Air Force will station NASAMS sensors in Kirkenes, a town in the far north of the country a few kilometres from Russia. The sensors are designed to pick up unmanned aerial vehicles («Опыт Украины показывает». Норвегия разворачивает радары NASAMS в нескольких километрах от границы с Россией – NV) (Норвегія посилює систему спостереження кордону з РФ для виявлення дронів – Українська правда).

What the system is for

According to the government, the sensors will detect drones, warn of their presence and give a fuller picture of what is moving through the airspace in border areas. Officials stress that the measures are preventive and are not linked to a particular new threat.

Troop numbers and timeline

The initiative involves a unit of more than 30 soldiers. It will be placed within a rifle battalion at the Sør-Varanger garrison and is due to be in place by the end of the year.

Justification

Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said that drones have been seen veering off course in other countries and that Norway takes the risk seriously. Ukraine's experience shows how important good situational awareness and early warning are, he said, and the sensors would strengthen Norway's ability to detect drones in the Finnmark region (Норвегія посилює оборону кордону з РФ, щоб краще виявляти ворожі дрони – Європейська правда).

Coordination with police

The armed forces work closely with the police, who are responsible for tracking and preventing unlawful drone flights.