The Arctic is a harsh and unforgiving environment, and NATO artillery crews are learning to use drones in this challenging terrain. This comes as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine, which has demonstrated the value of cheap drones for targeting. NATO commanders believe that while attack drones cannot replace traditional artillery, they can help gun crews find targets and direct fire. However, getting drones to work in the Arctic is a challenge due to the brutal cold and harsh conditions. Maj. Robin McArthur, a battery commander with a unit in the British Army's 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, highlights the need to integrate drones with area fires, such as artillery. He notes that the drones his unit uses are often designed for more temperate climates and are easily affected by the Arctic environment, where technology tends to struggle. This is where traditional artillery comes into play, as McArthur references his 105mm light howitzer and the high-explosive shells it fires, which are not affected by weather and the environment. NATO is investing more in Arctic defense and readiness, as alliance officials grow increasingly concerned about Russian and Chinese activity in the High North. In training to fight on frozen battlefields, NATO forces are incorporating lessons from the war in Ukraine, a mix of high-tech and industrial warfare. Maj. Kay-Arne Schjetne, a Norwegian artillery battalion operations officer, agrees that the war in Ukraine has pushed Oslo to equip its army's subunits with more drones for combat training. He believes that nothing can fully replace artillery, not even cheap strike drones that can deliver precision at a lower cost. Artillery is crucial in conventional warfare, as it is a brutal weapon that does the job effectively. The US Marines training in Setermoen are also taking into account the evolving nature of drone warfare, leaning on their M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Col. William Soucie, the 10th Marine Regiment commanding officer, highlights the blending of cutting-edge military capabilities like drones with vintage tactics like trench warfare. The Marines are learning to be less visible to drones and are exploring how to use uncrewed platforms to their advantage. First Lt. Landon Foster, the HIMARS platoon commander, explains that drones can help scout out new positions, and artillery doctrine is adapting to incorporate shoot-and-scoot tactics with the help of drones.
