A Norwegian fisherman stopped a NATO drill off Andøya on 22 October, forcing German pilots to abort missions and incurring millions‑crown cost, officials said.
NATO drills
From 13 to 24 October, the yearly Steadfast Noon exercise ran with about 2,000 troops and 70 aircraft. The event was hosted by the Netherlands and showcased the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence capability, according to Dutch official Mark Rutte.
NATO clarified that no nuclear weapons were used during the drills. Most actions took place over the North Sea.
Conflict threat
Officials warned that “a conflict will arise” if the exercise data were mishandled and local interests ignored. The message was aimed at potential adversaries, emphasizing NATO’s readiness to defend all members.
Fisherman disrupts exercise
On 22 October, Olafur Einarsson, a fisherman from Andøya, laid nets where German pilots intended to release munitions. He demanded access to fishing grounds shut by the military and complained that drill organizers repeatedly infringed fishermen’s rights.
He added that decisions on maneuvers in the area are not consulted with residents. “If they invite crowds to the drill and deny us fishing, a conflict will follow,” he said.
Robert Brun, a representative of the local fishermen’s union, noted that details of operations were often omitted. He warned that small complaints could accumulate into a large crisis.
Financial losses
Due to Einarsson’s blockade, German pilots had to terminate the exercise and return to base. This caused an estimated loss of millions of kroner for the operation.
Tony Klæboe, head of Andøya Space, the company overseeing the NATO drills, confirmed the cost. “It was an operation involving people in Germany and along the Norwegian coast,” he said in an interview with Kyst og Fjord.
