The Norwegian Defense ministry on its website announced on August 24 that Norway and Great Britain are joining forces to acquire the Norwegian micro-drone Black Hornet as a donation to Ukraine. The cost will be up to NOK 90 million (USD 9.3 Mn). The package includes Black Hornet units, spare parts, transportation and training. This will be financed by the British-led fund to which Norway has contributed NOK 400 million (USD 41.3 Mn). Ukrainian authorities have asked for this type of equipment in the fight against the Russian invasion.
Teledyne Flir “Blck Hornet” micro drone (Picture source: Teledyne Flir)
The Norwegian-developed Black Hornet micro drone marketed by Teledyne FLIR equips non-specialist dismounted soldiers with immediate covert situational awareness (SA). Game-changing EO and IR technology bridge the gap between aerial and ground-based sensors, with the same SA as a larger UAV and threat location capabilities of UGVs. Extremely light, nearly silent, and with a flight time up to 25 minutes, the combat-proven, pocket-sized Black Hornet PRS transmits live video and HD still images back to the operator. It is used in a number of allied countries, including the United States, France and Great Britain. The drone is used for reconnaissance and target identification. It is easy to operate, robust, difficult to detect and particularly well suited for combat in urban areas, says Norway’s Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.
Teledyne Flir “Blck Hornet” micro drone (Picture source: Teledyne Flir)
The micro-drone will be acquired from Teledyne Flir, as a call-off on a framework agreement that The Norwegian Defence Material Agency has. Procurement, training and delivery of the material is done in collaboration with and coordinated by the British authorities.
Close cooperation with the defense industry will be crucial to continued key deliveries of military equipment to Ukraine in the future. This cooperation also ensures that Ukraine has more modern and efficient weapons and systems.
SteelRock Nightfighter is a portable system that provides protection against drones through effective jamming. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
An anti-drone system will also be purchased for approximately NOK 100 million (USD 10.4 Mn) of the Norwegian funds for the fund. The system chosen is the anti-drone system Nightfighterfrom British SteelRock Technologies.
SteelRock Nightfighter is a portable system that provides protection against drones through effective jamming. The system is particularly suitable for protecting smaller patrols, artillery positions and other important resources.
