The Arctic isn’t tomorrow’s strategic challenge—it is today’s. Click below to learn more about how investment in drone technology will bolster the alliance. cepa.org/commentary/h...

NATO and allies should align Arctic drone integration with broader efforts across capability, policy, and doctrine development, defense planning, and efforts related to resilience, innovation, defense investment, and procurement.

As Arctic Sea routes open and competition accelerates, drones will become indispensable across the High North.

NATO’s long-term posture in the Arctic will increasingly rely on uncrewed systems as force multipliers that extend reach, enhance resilience, and reduce risk in a uniquely harsh and contested environment.

The sinking of the Russian Corvette provides a pivotal case study. It highlights how UAVs and USVs can enhance anti-surface warfare, providing critical reconnaissance and strike capabilities while reducing risks. Adapting these lessons is crucial for future naval strategies.

Adapting NATO's defense posture is complex, as gaps exist between drone inventories and the demands of Arctic operations. Introducing new systems must be done in tandem with investing in joint procurement, updating NATO doctrine, and creating interoperable Arctic platforms.

Arctic allies such as Norway, Sweden, and Finland may be considering the adoption of HALE or MALE-class UAVs. These systems could bridge major domain awareness gaps and at a lower operational cost.

NATO must adapt its defense posture in the Arctic region. Uncrewed systems such as P-8A, MQ-9B, and MQ-4C offer scalable and cost-effective means of enhancing resilience, deterrence, and defense.