Norway to add NASAMS sensors, 30 troops in Finnmark near Russia

Norway will deploy additional sensors for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS, and increase troop numbers in Finnmark, its northernmost county bordering Russia, the Norwegian Defense Ministry announced on November 3.

The sensors will be placed in Kirkenes, a town about 7.5 kilometers (4.5 miles) from the Norway-Russia border. Another 30 troops will be stationed in the county as part of the deployment.

"The experience from Ukraine shows how important it is to have a good overview and receive early warning. These are sensors that will strengthen our ability to detect drones in Finnmark," Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said in a press release.

The ministry described the move as preventative and not based on a new threat. "We have seen in other countries that drones go astray. This is something Norway takes seriously. We must be prepared, even if we do not see an elevated air threat against Norway or the population of Finnmark now," Sandvik said.

The announcement cited previous airspace violations by Russian drones, including on September 8, when a suspected Russian Shahed-type drone violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace, prompting airspace closures, emergency alerts and the scrambling of NATO fighter jets. On October 3, five Russian air attack weapons, including Banderol missiles and drones, violated Moldova's airspace and exploded on its territory during a Russian attack against Ukraine, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.

Moldova, which is not a NATO member, has also recorded intensified airspace violations in recent months. Airspace violations have also occurred in Finland and Lithuania.