Norway Faces a Growing Drone Threat
In recent weeks, warnings about a drone threat in Norway have intensified. An esteemed engineer from the Norce drone team, Nils Håheim-Saers, describes a national security blind spot: the state may not fully grasp the scale and nature of the drone challenge. Reports of drone activity near airports, defense installations, and offshore oil sites have sparked concern about how prepared Norway is to detect, identify, and counter potential intrusions.
Håheim-Saers argues that without clear standards for critical infrastructure owners and a better-resourced police response, the risk will continue to grow. His concern is twofold: first, that owners of essential facilities are not required to develop the capability to detect and attribute drone incursions; second, that law enforcement is not equipped to handle this evolving form of crime at the scale now emerging in the security landscape.
The Two Gaps Experts Say Must Be Closed
Higher standards for critical infrastructure owners
According to Håheim-Saers, object owners and operators should be able to detect, identify, and trace the origins of drones that approach their facilities. The expectation should be for these entities to invest in their own defensive capabilities, enabling them to support the police in uncovering who is behind any given drone event. The absence of such requirements appears to leave critical infrastructure exposed to unpredictable threats, including potential state-backed actions.
Police capacity and deterrence
The expert notes that the police are currently undersized to counter this new form of threat. In peacetime, responsibility for protecting critical infrastructure and societal functions—ranging from drones to cyberattacks—largely rests with law enforcement. Without adequate resources, it becomes harder to deter, detect, and respond effectively, which could prolong the time needed to attribute blame and neutralize a threat.
Foreign Drones, Encryption, and Security Risks
A central concern is the possibility that drones used for routine inspection and surveillance on critical infrastructure could be compromised by foreign actors. The article cites the example of Chinese drones deployed in the Norwegian offshore sector, and notes a particular risk: the encryption keys used to link drone hardware to its control systems could be accessed by foreign entities. If a malevolent actor can alter the radio link, intercept data, or even assume control, the drone becomes an instrument of espionage or disruption rather than a neutral tool for safety checks.
The debate highlights a broader vulnerability: while drone systems can enhance operational efficiency, they may also introduce unforeseen security weaknesses if critical components are controlled by external parties. Critics argue that these vulnerabilities undermine the security-to-utility trade-off and require a robust response from regulators, industry, and law enforcement.
Industry and Government Responses
Norwegian energy operators and offshore service companies have faced heightened scrutiny after the Nord Stream incidents and the subsequent tightening of security obligations across key national assets. Norce’s concerns echo in the debates over how best to protect offshore oil and gas infrastructure, with attention turning to who bears the responsibility for implementing, testing, and maintaining effective drone-detection and attribution capabilities.
Avinor, which operates Norway’s airports, currently relies on a security framework that includes dronedetection systems at Gardermoen and other sites. Yet, the latest sightings indicate that more can be done to confirm or rule out potential incursions and to improve the speed and accuracy of attribution. On the policy front, Parliament discussed a proposal to ban state use of Chinese drones, but the motion failed to pass, underscoring the political and practical complexities involved.
Towards a Collaborative Shield: The Dronemur and Norway’s Role
The EU Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen has championed a “dronemur” to shield Europe from foreign drone threats, a concept NATO-supportive and aligned with national security goals. Norway’s defense and security ministries have indicated openness to participating in broader protective measures, while also acknowledging the need to strengthen domestic capabilities. Danish authorities have signaled awareness of similar drone activity and have asked for cooperation, with Norwegian forces and police prepared to assist as needed.
What Norway Should Do Next
To close the gaps, stakeholders should consider:
– Mandating enhanced detection, identification, and reporting capabilities for owners of critical infrastructure.
– Expanding police resources and cross-agency coordination for rapid response, attribution, and remediation.
– Reviewing drone security standards, including hardware supply chain controls and encryption-key management, to minimize foreign control risks.
– Advancing regional and EU/NATO collaborations to share best practices, technology, and intelligence on drone-based threats.
– Investing in trusted, secure drone technologies and rigorous testing of systems used on sensitive sites.
Conclusion
Norway faces a complex and evolving drone threat that requires a proactive, well-resourced response. As experts like Nils Håheim-Saers warn, the country must raise the bar for critical infrastructure protection, empower law enforcement, and participate in broader international efforts to build a resilient, transparent drone ecosystem. The coming months will test how quickly policymakers, industry, and security agencies can turn concern into concrete, effective safeguards.
