Even today, in the technological era, the most ancient solutions may be the best option. Let them tell the Norwegians and the new military threats that are drones: a system. For great evils, great and ancient remedies.
In the midst of a military technological race, where drones dominate the battlefield, Norwegian elite forces They are resorting to a technique that seems taken from another century: caves dug in the snow by hand. It’s not nostalgia. It’s survival. According to , these shelters – known as quinzhees – are proving to be one of the best options for modern aerial surveillance.
Take advantage of the terrain and weather conditions to defend yourself. It’s as old as war. The reason is simple: Drones see almost everything… except what blends into the environment. And in the Arctic, nothing is more effective than the snow itself.
What are the quinzhees and why they are key again
Los quinzhees son caves compacted in snow that soldiers excavate manually. From the outside, they are barely distinguishable from the terrain. They do not emit significant visible, thermal or radar signals if well constructed.
A Norwegian soldier identified as Poster Boy He sums it up in that medium like this: “It’s a constant evolution of what works for us and what doesn’t.. “What was useful four years ago may be useless today due to technological advances.”
The key is in the current context. Drones: detect body heat, identify minimal movements and locate patterns on the ground.
Faced with that, a camouflage tent is no longer enough. Snow caves, on the other hand, break all those patterns.
Joint training with NATO: move or disappear
The effectiveness of this method has led other forces to train with Norway. Units of the British Royal Marines and of Special Forces Command of Canada already participate in these exercises.
The level of demand is extreme. According to the soldiers themselves, some units must change position every 15 minutesStaying still for too long increases the risk of detection and movement should be minimal and always taking advantage of conditions such as snow or fog. It is a constant balance between moving and disappearing.
Drones against drones: war in two directions
Although they protect themselves from them, Norwegian soldiers also use drones. The unit is testing systems adapted to extreme cold, including models such as those from the American company Skydio.
These devices fulfill key functions:
- Surveillance long distance.
- Detection of hidden enemies.
- Support in tactical maneuvers.
In addition, drones are being used FPV (first-person vision), increasingly common in recent conflicts.
The head of the Norwegian army, Lars Lervik, has confirmed that Drones will be protagonists in the exercise of NATO Cold Response 2026with both attack and reconnaissance scenarios.
Advanced technology… and traditional camouflage
But not everything can be the classic or traditional resource. Norway is also testing modern concealment systems. Among them, the Swedish Mobile Camouflage Systemcapable of reducing visual signature, thermal signature and radar signal.
Tests carried out in Denmark have confirmed its effectiveness even in arctic environments. But, despite all this technology, the soldiers themselves are clear: the most reliable is still the basics. “Snow is our absolute best cover”explains Poster Boy.
The key factor: understanding the terrain
Norway’s advantage is not only in equipment. It is in the knowledge of the environment. Troops take advantage of the prolonged darkness of winter, frequent fog and snowfall that erases traces quickly.
When the weather is favorable, they move. If not, they remain completely still. This approach minimizes exposure. And, in a sensor-saturated scenario, being invisible is more valuable than being fast.
The Norwegian case leaves a conclusion: technology does not always replace tradition. Sometimes, it complements it and we have to “scratch” from wherever to be more efficient and at a lower cost, in the process.
