Les saken på norsk Dark Drones 2026 brought together leading Norwegian and international actors in autonomous drone technology for presentations, panel debates, and live demonstrations in Trondheim. The event focused on defense, security, situational awareness, and collaboration between industry and military actors. Denis Kanin from Ukraine, representing Defence Innovation Highway (DIH), discussed the rapid development of both remote-controlled and autonomous drones in Ukraine. He highlighted how technological experiences from conflict areas can inspire innovation in peacetime and open new opportunities for both industry and defense. Dark Drones 2026. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Alberts Spila from the Ukrainian-Latvian company DK Nejet, which plans to produce 40,000 drones this year, said: We want to be part of the industry here in Norway. We already have early-stage collaboration on products that we will test on the front line in a few months, and Trondheim will become our global integration office. Alberts Spila, DK Nejet. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Read also: Ukrainian-Latvian drone company establishes office in Trondheim Autonomous Solutions for Air, Surface, and Underwater Operations Dark Drones demonstrated how the drones of the future can operate across multiple domains: in the air, on the water surface, and underwater. Fugro was highlighted as a world leader in seabed mapping and inspection. Jan Arvid Ingulvsen presented a video of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) operating in 6-meter waves. Fugro delivers solutions for situational awareness, including UAVs, USVs, and remote operation centers (ROCs) for global operations. Jan Arvid Ingulvsen, Fugro. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Sander Henriksen from Nordic USV showed how multiple autonomous drones can operate along large parts of the coastline from a single ROC, with multiple docking stations and built-in redundancy to ensure safe operations. Torstein Skogset from WaterLinked emphasized that underwater operations are one of the most challenging domains, even more demanding than air or space. The company develops navigation systems using Doppler technology and 3D sonar, combined with sensor fusion to make drones compact, robust, and efficient. WaterLinked collaborates with partners including Skarv and Blueye Robotics. Torstein Skogset, WaterLinked. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Sigmund Henningsen from SentiSystems presented GNSS-denied operations, referring to autonomous navigation without GPS, with examples from autonomous ferries in the Sognefjord, aviation, and future lunar navigation. Øyvind Smogeli from Zeabuz presented dual-use autonomy solutions, where multi-sensor systems enable autonomous sailing, remote operations, and SLAM-based navigation for GPS-denied environments. The ZeaFalcon Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) from Zeabuz was among the autonomous vessels demonstrated. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Situational Awareness with AI Several panel debates at Dark Drones emphasized the importance of AI and advanced sensor networks. Tore Norheim Hagtun from Clarify presented Gjallarhorn, a collaborative project that integrates data from multiple surface, underwater, and aerial sensors. He stressed: Too much data without context is useless, and speed in decision-making is a weapon in itself. Trygve Olav Fossum from Skarv Technologies highlighted that physical resources alone are no longer sufficient; software and data analysis are essential for autonomous missions, such as scallop searches in the Barents Sea and port security operations. Trygve Olav Fossum demonstrating the Skarv underwater drone. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Squarehead demonstrated how acoustic sensors can detect drones, boats, and helicopters, while Kahu collects and organizes radar and AIS data for dual-use operations offshore and onshore. The panel also highlighted the challenges of underwater operations, which remain largely unregulated, and the importance of access to test areas for air, surface, and subsea operations. Defense systems are complex “systems of systems,” and AI will increasingly support real-time decision-making. Dark Drones 2026. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Demo Day with Practical Demonstrations The second day of Dark Drones was Demo Day, where multiple companies showcased drones in the air, on the water surface, and underwater. Drone detection systems, counter-drone solutions, and Remote Operation Centers (ROCs) were also demonstrated. Nanodrone from Teledyne FLIR. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Demonstrations took place at Trondheim Maritime Center, Dora 2 Pier, and the Nyhavna harbor basin. Participating companies included Skarv, Blueye Robotics, Teledyne FLIR, DK Nejet, Airolit, Maritime Robotics, Eelume, and Kongsberg Discovery. In addition, Clarify, Wsense, WaterLinked, Ocean Access, and Fugro offered continuous presentations of their technology and solutions. Pictures from Dark Drones and demonstrations Levi Jamt demonstrating control of autonomous vessels from the Zeabuz Remote Operations Center (ROC) at Nyhavna. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Thomas Nygaard (Eelume), Eirik Hovstein (Maritime Robotics), Christian Gabrielsen (Blueye Robotics), and Vegard Forbord (Biodrone) showcasing the collaborative Eelume WP960 project. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Read also: Launching a new uncrewed surface vessel for mine countermeasures Dennis Kanin, Defence Innovation Highway (DIH). Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Dark Drones 2026. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Tore Norheim Hagtun from Clarify presenting the Gjallarhorn project. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Beata Hranaiova, Founder & CEO of Kahu. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Eelume WP960, autonomous vessel for mine countermeasures. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Nanodrone from Teledyne FLIR. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Tore Norheim Hagtun, Clarify. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Watch NRK’s coverage of Dark Drones 2026
Les saken på norsk The Ukrainian–Latvian company DK Nejet is establishing an office in Trondheim. The company develops and manufactures advanced drone systems for military and dual-use applications and views Trondheim as a strategically important hub for further growth in the Nordic region and Europe, with a production target of 40,000 drones in 2026. “Trondheim has a unique technology ecosystem,” says Alberts Spila, CSO and co-founder of DK Nejet. “The city combines strong technical expertise, leading research environments, and an active industrial base. We see many opportunities for collaboration and want to be an active part of Norway’s defence and technology landscape.” For DK Nejet, establishing a presence in Norway is about becoming an integrated part of the industry and strengthening the company’s position as a global player, alongside its operations in Latvia and Ukraine. Alberts Spila, CSO and co-founder of DK Nejet. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Scaling drone production DK Nejet develops and produces several types of drones, including platforms for air-to-ground and air-to-air operations. The company currently has five operational drone platforms, with an additional five under development. A key focus is a high level of automation, enabling a single operator to control up to 42 drones simultaneously. The systems can be integrated with sensors and radar, automatically identify targets, and execute precise operations following operator approval. “Last year we produced 14,000 drones. This year, we are planning to triple production to around 40,000 drones,” says Spila. DK Nejet’s standard drone, capable of carrying a 2 kg payload. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri See also: Launching a new unmanned surface vessel for mine countermeasures Establishing in Trondheim As part of the establishment in Trondheim, DK Nejet plans to open its local office in the near term and initially recruit two positions within project management and systems integration. The objective is to strengthen the company’s ability to integrate its own solutions with partner technologies in a faster and more robust way. In the longer term, DK Nejet envisions Trondheim developing into a global integration hub, coordinating technology integrations across markets and regions. Alberts Spila of DK Nejet presenting on the rapid development and challenges of drone warfare in Ukraine during Dark Drones in Trondheim. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri Participated in Dark Drones and Dual-Use Meet-up in Trondheim DK Nejet has already been visible in the Norwegian ecosystem through participation in the Norwegian-Ukrainian Defence and Dual-Use Meet-up and Dark Drones in Trondheim. Both events were organised by Ocean Autonomy Cluster in collaboration with NORDSEC – Nordic Defence and Security Cluster. Demonstration of the company’s FPV (First Person View) drones during Dark Drones in Trondheim. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri During Dark Drones, Alberts Spila and DK Nejet shared insights into the rapid development and operational challenges of drone warfare in Ukraine. The company also presented and demonstrated its own drone systems. Nyhavna in Trondheim seen from a DK Nejet FPV drone. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri The conference focused on challenges related to operating and detecting drones in demanding conditions and brought together a wide range of actors showcasing drone technologies for operations in the air, on the surface, and below the surface. “We experienced strong interest in our solutions and see significant potential for collaboration in Norway,” says Spila. Read also: Ukrainian and Norwegian technology companies met in Trondheim to strengthen defence cooperation Watch NRK’s feature and interview with Alberts Spila during Dark Drones Photo: NRK
Les saken på norsk Ukrainian and Norwegian technology companies gathered in Trondheim on 21 October to strengthen cooperation in defence and technology. Through presentations, experience sharing, and dialogue, the event laid the foundation for new partnerships between Norwegian and Ukrainian actors. More than 70 participants from Norway and Ukraine took part in the Norwegian-Ukrainian Defence and Dual-Use Meet-up in Trondheim. The event brought together entrepreneurs, technology developers, industry representatives, and experts from both countries to explore needs, experiences, and opportunities related to defence and dual-use technologies. Tevje Ravn Eggan, NORDSEC. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri “The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen the links between the Norwegian and Ukrainian technology communities. Ukraine has developed remarkable innovation capacity during the war, and we see growing interest from Norwegian companies to contribute with technology and expertise,” said Tevje Ravn Eggan, project manager at NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster. Oleksandr Lapko, DK NEJET. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Sigbjørn Albertsen, Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC). Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Ukrainian companies presented cutting-edge technology Among the Ukrainian actors presenting at the event were NEJET, the Association of Ukrainian Defense Manufacturers (AUDM), and Iron Cluster, as well as Defence Innovation Highway (DIH), a Danish-led Nordic initiative supporting innovation and cooperation in the defence sector. Oleksandr Lapko, DK NEJET. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri NEJET develops FPV systems for modern warfare in close cooperation with combat units. Their platforms are not only tested on training grounds but in real operations, from frontline trenches to complex urban environments. AUDM is one of Ukraine’s largest and most influential defence industry networks, with more than 90 members. It provides a platform for collaboration between industry, researchers, and government, supporting its members in building partnerships and international relations. Its members operate in weapons production, military equipment, specialized communication and tracking systems, and military apparel. The organization has offices in Kyiv, Kharkiv, L’viv, Odesa, and Dnipro. Semantykaya presented its drone innovations and international ambitions. Vegard Forbord, CEO Biodrone. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Iron Cluster brings together more than 80 companies and 2,500 professionals, building a growth-driven ecosystem in electronic warfare, components, microelectronics, unmanned systems, robotics, and communication systems. Defence Innovation Highway (DIH) showcased its efforts to accelerate defence innovation cooperation between Ukraine and the Nordic countries, aiming to strengthen innovation through international collaboration. Arne Kjørsvik, CEO SentiSystems. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri “Ukrainian companies have demonstrated an impressive ability to develop and implement technology at a rapid pace. For Norwegian companies, collaboration with these actors represents significant opportunities for both innovation and export,” said Eggan. According to Sigbjørn Albertsen from the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC), Norway’s main contributions to Ukraine so far include NASAMS air defence systems, advanced communications, and large quantities of fishing nets used for drone protection. Christian Gabrielsen, CEO Blueye Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Håvar Øie, Senior Sales Director Defence & Security, Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Norwegian companies shared experiences from Ukraine Several Norwegian companies shared their experiences from working with Ukrainian partners, including Biodrone, Sentisystems, Nordiq Products, Blueye Robotics, and Maritime Robotics. All of these companies are members of both the Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC Defence and Security Cluster, representing various parts of Norway’s tech ecosystem — from drones and sensor technology to medical monitoring and autonomous maritime systems. EU Advisor Linda Hald and manager of RENERGY, Thomas Bjørdal. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri A number of additional member companies from OAC, NORDSEC, and RENERGY participated in the event. The energy cluster RENERGY also leads the SUNRISE project, an initiative aimed at securing a stable power supply in war-torn Ukraine. This makes Trondheim a key hub for Europe’s efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector. The event concluded with a panel debate discussing opportunities and the road ahead. Ebbe Deraas, Cluster manager of NORDSEC. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Building bridges between technology and defence The meet-up was organized by NORDSEC, Ocean Autonomy Cluster, and RENERGY, in collaboration with Defence Innovation Highway (DIH) and the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC). After several successful editions in Oslo earlier this year, the event was held in Trondheim, Norway’s technology capital, for the first time. Participation was open to members of NORDSEC, Ocean Autonomy Cluster, and RENERGY, as well as invited guests. “This meeting place is not just about technology, but about building concrete partnerships that can strengthen both Ukraine’s and Europe’s security,” said Eggan. Ebbe Deraas (NORDSEC), Oleksander Lapko (DK NEJET), Sigbjørn Albertsen (NUCC), Linda Catrine Hald (ESA BIC), Thomas Bjørdal (RENERGY) and Vegard Forbord (Biodrone). Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Want to learn more? Tevje Ravn Eggan, NORDSEC — tevje@fi-nor.no Frode Halvorsen, OAC — frode@fi-nor.no Sigbjørn Albertsen, NUCC — sigbjorn@nucc.no
Les saken på norsk NORDSEC and Ocean Autonomy Cluster were pleased to host Esben Gadsbøll, Chairman and co-initiator of Danish Tech Startups and one of the initiators behind the Defense Innovation Highway, together with Sigbjørn Albertsen from the Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC). The visit to Trondheim was part of efforts to strengthen Norwegian-Ukrainian technological cooperation, with a particular focus on ocean and defense technologies. The program included a visit to Operasjon Gugne, the training program where the Norwegian Home Guard in Trøndelag provides instruction to Ukrainian soldiers, giving the guests close insight into cooperation on the ground. As part of the visit, the guests were also introduced to pioneering research and technological solutions for autonomous maritime systems at the NTNU Shore Control Lab. They later visited Veteranhuset Midt-Norge, where they received an introduction to veteran work in Trondheim and the house’s strong engagement in support for Ukraine. Maxime Audrain from NTNU demonstrates the Shore Control Lab for Sigbjørn Albertsen from NUCC. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Next step: Tech meetup in Trondheim Following the visit, plans are now underway to organize a Norwegian-Ukrainian tech meetup in Trondheim in collaboration with the Ocean Autonomy Cluster. The aim is to create a physical arena where innovators, startups, academia, and businesses from both countries can come together. The event will have a particular emphasis on ocean technology, defense technology, and the development of new opportunities for cooperation. Demonstration at NTNU Shore Control Lab. From left: Maxime Audrain, NTNU; Esben Gadsbøll, Danish Tech Startups; Sigbjørn Albertsen, NUCC; and Tevje Ravn Eggan, NORDSEC. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Defense Innovation Highway The Defense Innovation Highway is a platform established to accelerate cooperation in defense innovation between Ukraine and the Nordic countries. By connecting startups, investors, and private-sector defense actors, DIH helps bring forward innovation with rapid implementation, including through delegation visits and networking arenas in both Ukraine and the Nordics. Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce The Norwegian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC) is a member-based, non-commercial organization established in 2008 to promote business and trade relations between Norway and Ukraine. The organization contributes to a better understanding of the Ukrainian market and facilitates collaboration between companies in both countries through networking, advisory services, matchmaking, and support for sustainable development.
Les saken på norsk For the first time, Innovation Norway is establishing a presence in Ukraine, marking a significant step for Norwegian businesses entering a market characterized by both challenges and opportunities. I look forward to traveling to Kyiv and getting started on the job, says Ole Henæs. Currently serving as Regional Director for Asia and the Middle East, Henæs will now take on the role of Country Director for Ukraine. We need to ramp up quickly, and it will be crucial to connect with existing networks, he says. Henæs brings valuable experience from both the Norwegian defense industry and commercial enterprises and will lead efforts to support Norwegian companies in Ukraine. Close Collaboration with Norwegian Industry Despite the ongoing war, several Norwegian companies are already investing and operating in Ukraine. Innovation Norway’s presence in Kyiv will help strengthen these initiatives and facilitate new business opportunities. Norwegian companies possess technology, expertise, and solutions that can play a crucial role in Ukraine’s reconstruction. Increased presence in the country will provide them with better support and access to relevant networks. We will work with Norwegian companies already in Ukraine and attract new, relevant businesses. Our job is to create value for Norwegian industry, including through partnerships with Ukrainian businesses, says Henæs. This will be beneficial for both Norway and Ukraine, he adds. Ole Henæs, Innovasjon Norge Security and Defense – A Key Focus Area For the defense and security industries, Innovation Norway’s establishment in Ukraine opens new avenues for collaboration and exchange. NORDSEC is closely monitoring developments and sees growing interest in Norwegian technology and solutions for defense and emergency preparedness. Innovation Norway’s office in Kyiv will provide valuable insight and support for Norwegian stakeholders looking to contribute to Ukraine’s security and reconstruction. Collaboration with Key Stakeholders Innovation Norway’s efforts in Kyiv will be carried out in close collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian–Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (NUCC). Together, these entities form Team Norway Ukraine, working to strengthen trade relations between Norway and Ukraine. With a growing focus on Norwegian business in Ukraine, NORDSEC looks forward to following developments and facilitating connections between the defense and security industry and relevant opportunities in the country. Read more about international initiatives and exports to Ukraine.