Norway maintains an Arctic base for long-range drones.

Norway has declared an expansion of Andøya Air Station to transform it into a pivotal hub for long-range drone operations and the development of space operations for the Norwegian Armed Forces. Opting against the closure of Andøya Air Station, the government ensures continued military presence, thereby strengthening maritime surveillance capabilities in the High North.
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The Andøya Airbase was utilized during the Nordic Response 2024 exercise (Picture source: Forsvaret)

This initiative signifies a substantial commitment to enhancing situational awareness and continuous monitoring of maritime interest areas in the north, also aiding in incident management and total defense support in scenarios such as natural disasters or search and rescue operations.

Moreover, this new surveillance capability, operated in multinational cooperation with close allies, marks a significant advancement in Norway's efforts to maintain national control and freedom of action. Andøya is set to play a crucial role in the training, operation, and development of these long-range defense drones, in close collaboration with Andøya Spaceport.

This endeavor aligns with the development of space-based services, increasingly vital for military operations and cooperation with allies and partners within the NATO community. Secure access to space and the ability to swiftly deploy replacement satellites if necessary lie at the core of the government's ambitions to position Norway as a leader among allies regarding situational awareness in the north.

Andøya Air Station, crucial for NATO's planning, will be developed to accommodate allies during peacetime and host a larger contingent of allied air forces in crises or conflicts. This development is part of Norway's broader objective to enhance civilian maritime preparedness through the use of large drones for search and rescue, as well as surveillance and mapping of spills and other maritime incidents.

The government's announcement regarding Andøya's expansion underscores Norway's commitment to submarine movement monitoring and significant contribution to security in the High North, reaffirming Norway's strategic position as NATO's northern flank and an Atlantic Ocean state.

Defense News April 2024