NATO Adapts Arctic Artillery Tactics with Drone Integration, Citing Ukraine Lessons

NATO artillery units operating in Setermoen, Norway, are incorporating drones into their targeting procedures, applying lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine. Commanders emphasize that while drones enhance target acquisition and fire direction, conventional artillery remains a primary force in combat.

Commanders emphasize that while drones enhance target acquisition and fire direction, conventional artillery remains a primary force in combat.

Drone Integration: A Lesson from Ukraine

Major Robin McArthur of the British Army's 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery stated that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has underscored the critical need for drone integration with artillery. Troops are training to use readily available, expendable drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and relaying targeting data.

However, McArthur noted that many drones are designed for temperate climates and face operational challenges in the severe Arctic environment. He highlighted that artillery, like the 105mm light howitzer, offers reliability unaffected by weather conditions.

Arctic Readiness and NATO Investment

These training exercises in northern Norway, part of Cold Response 26, involve British, Norwegian, and US forces preparing for Arctic warfare. NATO is increasing its investment in Arctic defense and readiness amidst rising concerns over Russian and Chinese activities in the High North.

Artillery's Enduring Role in Modern Warfare

Major Kay-Arne Schjetne, a Norwegian artillery battalion operations officer, mentioned that the war in Ukraine has prompted Oslo to equip its army subunits with more drones for combat training.

Both McArthur and Schjetne affirmed that despite the precision and cost-effectiveness of strike drones, artillery remains indispensable in conventional warfare due to its speed, resistance to interception and jamming, and effectiveness across diverse weather conditions for area denial and breaking enemy lines.

US Marines Adapt 'Shoot-and-Scoot' with Drones

US Marines also participated, utilizing M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). They are adapting to modern drone warfare by developing strategies to reduce their visibility to enemy drones and employing their own uncrewed platforms for scouting potential new positions, aligning with established 'shoot-and-scoot' artillery tactics.