In the wake of Ukraine, Arctic powers are weighing the battlefield value of first person view drones for operations on frozen fronts. Two Norwegian soldiers from the Royal Norwegian Armed Forces’ long range reconnaissance unit appeared nearly invisible in the snow during NATO’s Cold Response 2026 exercise.

A small, grey first person view drone lay nearby on the white ground, a clear contrast to their pristine white uniforms.

The drone, the Skydio X10D, is an American system also in service with Ukrainian forces.

Norway’s Ministry of Defense awarded a $9.4 million contract for the drone system in July. Officials say the purchase reflects a broader push to modernize Arctic operations with compact, agile airpower.

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The investment signals a strategic belief that small, capable FPV platforms can extend the reach of troops operating in harsh northern terrain.

This is not merely a test; it is part of a larger effort to leverage technology for deterrence and rapid decision making.

“We are trying our best in Norway to implement lessons from Ukraine — for us, it’s all about increasingly using FPV and intelligence gathering ones but adapting them to our environment,” said a Norwegian officer who spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity around the unit.

The words underscore a practical pivot toward more nimble reconnaissance and real time information gathering that can inform broader battlefield decisions.

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It is a shift that aligns with the broader defense posture favored by those who argue for decisive, tech driven modernization.

Defense News reported during the NATO exercise, which runs from March ninth to nineteenth, that there is also an interest in incorporating FPVs into high value target operations. While some operators have begun simulator training to fly them, this is a fairly new development and has not yet been formally integrated into their training programs.

The cautious approach reflects the careful balance between experimentation and reliable, field ready capability.

The Norwegian Army Land Warfare Centre, which oversees training and weapon system development, also displayed an additional FPV model. An officer from the centre who flies the Skydio explained that as part of Cold Response, almost every unit of the Norwegian Army was equipped with this capability to rehearse intelligence gathering maneuvers.

So far, it has performed relatively well, but it has experienced some difficulties, like most drones, in harsh conditions found in the Norwegian Arctic, he said.

Image Credit: DoW

One of the key challenges is battery life, which degrades significantly in cold environments. This limitation remains a practical hurdle even as the technology promises rapid, precise intelligence and extended reach across icy terrain. In addition to the Scandinavian demonstrations, another Arctic nation brought along an experimental drone of its own, including a home built system designed to test a different approach.

The goal is clear: learn what works, what breaks, and how to protect our soldiers with better, more resilient tools.

Another notable development came from the United States, which joined the exercises with a distinct FPV platform. The Marines tested a unique looking FPV provided by Johns Hopkins University. The variant was equipped with a cage, the purpose of which is to prevent an excessive loss of the systems during training.

The cage prevents it from crashing, and if repairs are needed, they can be carried out easily. The U.S. approach emphasizes rapid, realistic training that improves both piloting and counter drone tactics, thereby increasing pilots’ survivability in real operations.

The U.S. troops used it in force on force scenarios, in which a friendly force engages a live adversary. This training allows their operators to enhance their piloting skills in a strike manner while also improving their counter drone tactics, increasing pilots’ survivability. T

he exchanges among allies are already producing a clearer picture of how each nation employs these tools, what they fly, and how they fly it.

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Master Sgt. Patrick Harrington, director of the unmanned systems center of excellence at the 2nd Marine Division, highlighted power as one of the biggest challenges to operating FPVs in Arctic conditions. “We’ve been able to exchange with our allies here also, there’s interest in how each country [ourselves included] uses them, what they fly, how they fly it,” he said.

The candid dialogue among partners reinforces the sense that the Arctic is the proving ground for a new era of high capability, low profile warfare that blends stealth, speed, and precision.

As American leadership continues to emphasize modernization, this Arctic push is often framed as a test case for a broader strategy championed by supporters of President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. They argue that a strong, technologically advanced force deters aggression and reinforces deterrence in challenging environments.

The fielding of FPV platforms in snowbound seas and forests is not only about winning battles; it is about sending a clear message that the United States will outpace adversaries with speed, innovation, and unwavering resolve.

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