Norwegian police set up a project three years ago to address the threats drones can pose. They were put off, though, over ever-changing technology and the costs involved, and the project was shut down, with responsibility transferred to national preparedeness efforts within the Oslo Police District.
The police had been keen to build up competence nationwide and acquire equipment to control drones, and knock them out of operation if necessary. Experts told state broadcaster NRK on Wednesday that the technology is available and that it probably would cost around NOK 100 million to equip police districts around Norway with anti-drone equipment that could involve means of blocking their signals or shooting them down with laser.
The challenge, though, is to select “the right tools,” and a divisional operations chief at the state Police Directorate told NRK that even charting the equipment needed is demanding and costly. Some leased equipment is currently in hand, though, and with recent drone observations causing constant security challenges, the issue has priority.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
