Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in northern Norway after operating a drone near Bardufoss Airport, a key dual-use facility that also serves as one of the country’s most important military bases.
Police in Mid-Troms said the pair were detained on Tuesday after being found flying an unmanned aerial vehicle close to the airport, which shares infrastructure with Bardufoss Air Station. The base hosts Royal Norwegian Air Force units and regularly accommodates U.S. Marines and other NATO troops during Arctic training exercises.
Police Superintendent Katrine Grimnes told public broadcaster NRK that the suspects were questioned and later released, though their passports and electronic devices remain in police custody for further review. She added that authorities are treating the case with “special vigilance” due to recent attention on similar incidents across Europe.
Drone activity around Bardufoss also caused a civilian flight to be diverted earlier in the week, NRK reported. The episode comes amid rising European concerns over foreign drone incursions, following recent cases in Poland, Denmark, and Estonia that prompted NATO consultations.
The Chinese Embassy in Oslo has not commented directly on the arrests but issued a travel advisory on Wednesday reminding Chinese citizens that Norway maintains strict no-fly rules around airports, government buildings, and military installations.
