Norway is setting up an Arctic base for the operation of long-range drones, with plans to extend its use to allied nations, as reported by the Defence Ministry in Oslo. The upcoming base will be situated at Andøya, the remote northern island formerly utilised as a home for Norway's fleet of P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft.

“Long-range drones are a brand new asset in our Armed Forces that will enhance our continuous situation awareness and surveillance of the region,” says Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram.

“Good situation awareness is crucial for our ability to enact national control and freedom of action,” he adds in a statement.

As per the Norwegian government, the newly acquired long-range drones will not only serve surveillance purposes but will also be deployed for tasks related to natural disasters and rescue operations. They will operate within a framework of multinational allied cooperation, including training, management, and development.

“The government has big ambitions for Andøya,” Minister Gram underlines.

During the Cold War, the Andøya airbase held a pivotal role in Norway's national air defense. However, it was closed in 2023 as Norway transitioned from the P-3 Orion to the P-9 Poseidon aircraft.

Alongside the deployment of long-range drones, the Andøya base will also accommodate a new department dedicated to joint training and development. The Defence Ministry has stated that crucial base functions will be maintained for allied aircraft, serving in peacetime, conflict, and wartime scenarios.

The airbase has a 2,440-metre-long runway, as well as a 1,670-metre-long crosswind path and large areas for various aircraft types, including fighter jets. Also, civilian air traffic is operated.

The far northern island also houses the Andøya Spaceport, a space centre that supports Norwegian military activities and also contributes to bilateral and multilateral space projects.

Drones have emerged as a pivotal component of contemporary warfare and represent a significant form of weaponry employed in Moscow's aggressive actions against Ukraine. Russian forces have deployed considerable resources, including equipment and manpower, in their use of drones during attacks in Ukraine.

Russian authorities are displaying growing apprehension regarding drone attacks, even in their northern regions. During a recent exercise conducted by the Northern Fleet, the training scenario simulated a drone attack targeting the strategic military base of Severomorsk. Similarly, countering enemy drones was a significant aspect of the training during an exercise in the Barents Sea conducted by two of the Northern Fleet's new frigates last week.

Image source: Forsvaret