Norway deploys NASAMS to Russian border to spot stray drones

Norway's air force has deployed NASAMS air defense sensors to Kirkenes, near the Russian border, to detect drones that drift off course into Norwegian airspace, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense said in a press release. The ministry is also sending more than 30 soldiers to reinforce the Garrison of Sør-Varanger, the army unit that guards the 198-km (123-mile) border with Russia. The ministry said the move is preventive and is not a response to any specific new threat. The sensors will detect drones, issue warnings and give the military a clearer picture of what is flying in the border area of Finnmark, Norway's northernmost county, Forsvarets Forum reported on Nov. 3. "We have seen in other countries that drones go astray. This is something Norway takes seriously. We must be prepared, even though we do not see an elevated air threat against Norway or the population of Finnmark right now," said Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik. (Translated from Norwegian.) The NASAMS system, built by Norway's Kongsberg and the U.S. company Raytheon, combines radar sensors, a fire control center and missile launchers. Norway is deploying the sensor part of the system to Kirkenes. The ministry did not say whether launchers or interceptor missiles will follow, or how many sensors were sent. "The experience from Ukraine shows how important it is to have a good overview and get early warning. These are sensors that will strengthen our ability to detect drones in Finnmark," said Sandvik. Norway has been expanding its NASAMS fleet, including an order for new NASAMS air defense systems to replace equipment it sent to Ukraine, where the Norwegian-made system has been used against Russian missiles and drones. The decision follows a string of stray drone incidents elsewhere along NATO's northern and eastern flank. Between late March and late May, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania reported more than a dozen incidents involving drones that crossed into their airspace, Reuters reported. Ukraine said Russian electronic warfare had diverted its long-range drones aimed at Russian Baltic oil ports. On May 19, a Romanian NATO fighter jet shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone over Estonia, and Finland briefly shut Helsinki's airport and told 1.8 million residents to stay indoors on May 15. The extra soldiers will serve with the Jaeger Battalion of the Garrison of Sør-Varanger until the end of the year. The military is working with the police and other civil defense agencies to enforce airspace restrictions when needed. "This is a strengthening of Norwegian preparedness," said Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas-Hansen.