The war in Ukraine shows that drones are necessary in a modern defense.
Now personnel in the Swedish Home Guard are being trained for the same flight system that is used successfully in Ukraine.
– Most often we are tasked with protecting, guarding and defending and then this can help us get eyes from the air, says Helen Svärd, lieutenant colonel Hemvärnet.
“UAV 06 Skata” is the name of the new drones that the Swedish Armed Forces have now started training personnel in. TV4 Nyheterna was able to join the first basic course at the Home Guard’s battle school in Salem, south of Stockholm.
The drone, which is of the same model, has been used extensively and successfully by the Ukrainian defense in the war against Russia. It shows that the use is now necessary in a modern defence.
“Can help us”
For course participant Lukas Hildingsson, it is the very first time he has driven a drone.
– It is an exciting task and it is not that difficult. Very user-friendly system, he says.
Helena Svärd, lieutenant colonel, believes that it is something that will further help the business in the future.
– Most of the time we are tasked with protecting, guarding and defending and then these flight systems can help us get eyes from the air. If we look with our eyes, we can only see it at the far end of the ground, but with the help of these drones, we can see from the other side of the hill, says Helen Svärd, Lieutenant Colonel Hemvärnet.
“Find Changes”
The drones are able to scout in real time in an area up to two kilometers around the drone pilot. And can also be used in the dark, has a thermal camera and is not dependent on GPS.
– You can find changes along the way. For the group that will pass that way, you must know that you are not going on any form of mining, says Peter Hocke, trainer Hemvärnet
But the drones are far from silent, which is not a disadvantage according to Per Widén, development manager.
– Many of the Home Guard’s tasks are to disrupt an intruder or opponent. If they have discovered us, we have solved a task, he says.