Electronic warfare

Surprise! Norway Surveils Russia More Than Vice Versa

It may seem contrary to what mainstream media reports about "evil" Russia's spying efforts, but peaceful Norway actually tops Russia when it comes to surveillance. Last year, Norwegian surveillance aircraft were observed over a hundred times near the Russian border, meanwhile fewer Russian planes are identified near Norwegian airspace.

Norwegian maritime surveillance P-3 Orion aircraft were observed 100 times last year near the Russian border. Additionally, the Norwegian Falcon DA-20, which is specifically meant for electronic warfare, was observed another 20 times in border areas. Furthermore, both Norwegian F-16s and Finnish F-18s were reported to regularly approach the Russian border, as were Swedish JAS-39 Gripen, pan-Nordic magazine the Barents Observer reported.

Coupled with the most impressive appearance of US B-52 strategic bombers that flew near Russia's airspace in connection with an exercise in Finnish Lapland, this triggered growing concerns from Russia over increased military activity in areas bordering Murmansk Region and the Republic of Karelia.