Chinese Nationals Arrested with Drone Near NATO F-35 Base as Europe Faces Drone Crisis

Two Chinese nationals were arrested in northern Norway Tuesday after being caught operating a drone near Bardufoss Airport, a critical dual-use facility that serves as both a civilian airport and one of Norway’s most important military hubs, according to Newsweek. The arrests come amid an unprecedented wave of drone incidents disrupting air traffic and raising security concerns across Europe.

The detention highlights escalating tensions over unauthorized drone operations near sensitive military installations. For drone pilots worldwide, the incident serves as a stark reminder that flying near military bases—even unknowingly—can lead to immediate arrest and international incidents, particularly as Europe grapples with suspected Russian drone incursions and heightened security concerns.

Strategic Importance of Bardufoss Air Station

Bardufoss isn’t just any airport. The facility shares runways and infrastructure with Bardufoss Air Station, home to Royal Norwegian Air Force units and a regular host for U.S. Marines and other NATO forces during Arctic exercises.

The base gained renewed strategic significance when Norway reactivated it in June 2024 after 40 years of dormancy. The facility now houses F-35 Lightning II fighters in mountain hangars—literally carved into rock—as part of NATO’s Agile Combat Employment concept to protect aircraft from potential attacks.

Police Superintendent Katrine Grimnes told Norway’s public broadcaster NRK that the suspects were questioned and released, but authorities seized their electronic devices for review. “We still have their passports in our possession,” she said.

Growing Pattern of Drone Incidents at Military Sites

The Bardufoss arrests add to a troubling pattern of Chinese nationals being detained with drones near military facilities. In December 2024, a Chinese national was arrested at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California after flying a drone over the installation and taking photographs. Germany has also launched investigations into Chinese nationals photographing naval bases and defense installations.

The timing raises particular concerns. Sunday’s drone activity around Bardufoss was serious enough to force a passenger flight to divert to another airport, demonstrating how unauthorized drone operations can disrupt civilian air traffic and trigger security responses.

European Drone Crisis Escalates

Norway’s incident unfolds against the backdrop of what European officials are calling a coordinated drone crisis. Last month, Poland shot down Russian drones that violated its airspace, prompting Warsaw to invoke Article 4 of NATO’s founding charter—only the eighth time the provision has been triggered since 1949. Denmark and Estonia have also reported airspace violations and invoked Article 4 discussions.

Copenhagen Airport was forced to close for several hours last week due to large drone sightings. Oslo Airport has closed twice in the past week. European leaders meeting in Copenhagen Wednesday discussed proposals for a “drone wall” to track and destroy unauthorized UAVs.

Norway’s Strict Drone Regulations

Without directly referencing the arrests, the Chinese embassy in Norway issued a safety advisory Wednesday for tourists traveling during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. The embassy warned: “Norway has strict control over drones, so please do not use drones in no-fly zones such as government agencies, military bases, and airports.”

Norwegian law prohibits drone operations within 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of airports and near military installations, prisons, and embassies. Violations can result in fines up to 12,000 Norwegian Kroner ($1,100 USD) and equipment confiscation.

DroneXL’s Take

The Bardufoss arrests underscore a rapidly evolving security landscape that’s making recreational and professional drone operations increasingly risky near any military or sensitive infrastructure. Whether these Chinese nationals were tourists unaware of restrictions or something more concerning, the message is clear: European authorities are treating unauthorized drone flights near military bases as potential espionage, not innocent mistakes.

What’s particularly striking is how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the calculus around drones in European airspace. Norway just spent millions reactivating Bardufoss specifically to hide F-35s in mountains because they’re vulnerable on the ground. Then drones start appearing overhead. From a security perspective, every unidentified drone is now a potential threat.

For drone operators planning to fly in Europe—or anywhere near military installations globally—the lesson is unambiguous. Check no-fly zones obsessively, stay well clear of anything that looks remotely military, and understand that “I didn’t know” isn’t a defense when border police are confiscating your passport. The penalties are real, immediate, and potentially severe.

The broader question for our community: As geopolitical tensions drive aggressive responses to drone incidents, are we entering an era where recreational flying becomes effectively impossible in large swaths of airspace? The proposed “drone wall” across Europe suggests authorities are moving toward shoot-first policies.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.