Norwegian soldiers tested drone tactics during NATO exercise

Norwegian soldiers recently conducted a unique military exercise by dropping tennis balls on battle tanks. This experiment was part of NATO's Joint Viking 2025 exercise held in northern Norway. The goal was to explore how drones are changing modern warfare. During the exercise, the Norwegian Army tested unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), known as drones. Some drones were designed with first-person view (FPV) technology, similar to those used by Ukrainian and Russian forces in recent conflicts. These drones have been effective in targeting tanks by guiding explosives into vulnerable areas. Major Tor Sellevold from the Norwegian Army explained that the tennis balls simulated drone attacks on armored units. This test aimed to help soldiers understand how their vehicles are seen from the air and to identify weaknesses to drone strikes. Over ten missions, more than 30 tennis balls were dropped as part of this large-scale trial. Norway is paying close attention to lessons learned from Ukraine's use of drones. These low-cost drones have demonstrated their ability to threaten larger military assets. The Ukrainian military is even planning an area along the front lines to use numerous drones for surveillance and attacks. Norwegian military officials stated that they intend to operate drones from safe distances, avoiding close combat zones. They are also looking to acquire drones that can function well in Arctic conditions and have advanced surveillance capabilities. During the exercise, they used the US-made Puma drone for reconnaissance missions. The use of drones in military operations is developing quickly, prompting armies worldwide to adjust their strategies. For Norway, the sight of tennis balls falling on tanks illustrates the need for innovation in preparing for future conflicts.