The Norwegian Ministry of Defense has announced the supply of 1000 Black Hornet nanodrones to Ukraine, which are highly valuable for conducting reconnaissance operations in urban combat scenarios.
Ukraine is very satisfied with previous Norwegian deliveries of this type of reconnaissance drones, which have been developed in cooperation between the Norwegian Defense Forces and the Defense Research Institute. The drone, which has been named Black Hornet, is produced in Norway, and we are now contributing 1,000 new drone sets to Ukraine,
says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp).
Ukrainian authorities have asked to donate this type of equipment for use in the fight against the Russian invasion.
The Norwegian-developed drone from Teledyne FLIR is a global market leader. It is used in a number of allied countries, including the United States and Great Britain. The drone is used for reconnaissance and target identification. It is easy to operate, robust depending on the conditions, difficult to detect and particularly well suited for combat in urban areas,
says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.
Close cooperation with the defense industry will be absolutely necessary in order to be able to maintain the necessary deliveries of military material to Ukraine in the future. This also contributes to Ukraine getting more modern and efficient equipment.
The drone is a good example of the value of the close cooperation between authorities, research environments and industry, says Gram.
Military nanodrones are defined as small drones under 50 grams. The Black Hornet weighs 32 grams. Since the start in 2007, over 14,000 Black Hornet drones in various versions have been delivered to more than 40 customers worldwide, with the USA as the largest customer. Norway received its first Black Hornet in 2015, and the drones are now widely introduced in the Army’s departments.
Photo: Torbjørn Kjosvold, Norwegian Armed Forces
Source: Ministry of Defence, Norway