Sweden Unveils UAV Swarms to Strengthen Ground and Air Forces

Sweden has unveiled its latest defence innovation, a swarm drone designed for intelligence and surveillance applications for ground and air forces. The development was announced by Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson at a press conference on 15 January.

Advanced Intelligence and Surveillance with UAV Swarms

The Swedish Armed Forces have shared a demonstration video of a formation of 10 quadcopters flying over snowy forests, with images being transmitted to ground operators. The drones provide high-resolution images and AI-powered analysis, providing commanders with instantly actionable information. The system is described in military jargon as “flying eyes and ears” and plays an important role in ensuring perimeter security.

Drone Technology and Saab's Contribution

The Swedish aerospace company Saab took part in this project in cooperation with the Swedish army, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and the Swedish Defence Research Agency. Saab does not directly supply the drones but cooperates with other institutions in the development of command and control software. The Saab official stated that the individual drones in the swarm are equipped with various capabilities, such as different sensors, payloads and communication capacities. It was also stated that a single operator can control one or more UAV swarms via a mobile phone.

Interest in Drone Swarms Around the World

Drone swarms have become a major focus not just in Sweden but around the world. According to a publication by the US-based Atlantic Council think tank, countries like Ukraine are adopting drone swarms as part of their defense strategies. Ukrainian authorities are targeting swarm use as a major priority for their drone units by 2025.

Challenges with UAV Swarms

However, there are some challenges to drone swarms. Typically made up of small, short-range drones, swarms have a flight time of around 30 minutes, which can limit operational effectiveness. However, Sweden and other NATO countries aim to revolutionize the military landscape by rapidly developing this technology.