Sweden tests Ukrainian drones in bid to learn Russian tactics

The Nordic states see Russia as a near-term threat, with various estimates indicating that they need to be prepared for Russian aggression within 3-5 years. This makes it critical to understand Russia’s capabilities, which is at the hear of Sweden’s tests of Ukrainian drones. 

Sweden is testing a combination of reconnaissance and strike drones at a new test site built specifically for uncrewed systems in Karlsborg. The site has recently been home to tests with the Mace loitering munition and Stork reconnaissance drone, which were initially piloted by Ukrainian soldiers, the November 10th press release explains. The new site is designed to enable advanced testing of air and ground uncrewed systems, as well as maritime ones to some extent. 

“It is very good that we have brought Ukrainian soldiers here, because they have the best knowledge of these systems and use them on a daily basis. They tell us about their experiences and teach us how they conduct drone battles,” Joakim Kylstad, from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), who is responsible for the training said. 

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The recce-strike system was deployed against fixed targets on the site that had been identified by Stork. Mace is similar in design to the Russian Lancet-3M loitering munition, and was bought by the FMV specifically to replicate that system’s capabilities. 

“The purpose of the training, where we fly drones ourselves, is to build practical ability to detect, track and defeat enemy drone systems to protect our own units. By purchasing copies of Russian systems, we can train against the threat we ourselves risk facing,” says Michael Ledenius, head of the technical unit at the FMV that is running the training. 

The tests are being used to run realistic scenarios and help the FMV develop an understanding of the Russian threat, as well as effective counter-measures. The site in Karlsborg has several systems to help measure the performance of the drones in use, including a target tracking radar and optical sensors. ““This is a technological leap in the verification and analysis of unmanned systems and it further enhances our capabilities. We want to create technology and solutions that work in reality, not just in theory,” Ledenius said. 

Calibre comment: Lancet-3M, a real threat

Russian forces are relatively capable of tactical strikes with FPVs and loitering munitions, although Ukrainian sources indicate that they are not as good as the best Ukrainian units. Of course, this can only ever be a generalisation, the frontline is huge and there are immense variances from unit-to-unit. However, the Russians have developed their ability to conduct deeper strikes against Ukraine’s enabling functions and logistics. This is routinely practiced during a Russian offensive, where efforts will focus on artillery, air defence, electronic warfare, and logistics supporting the frontline in a bid to isolate them. 

• Calibre interview: Kara Dag Technologies unpacks the drone war in Ukraine
• Russia’s drone barriers aim to protect logistics routes – Calibre Defence

Within Russia’s strike arsenal, the Lancet-3M, which is the capability simulated by the Ukrainian Mace strike drone in the Swedish tests, has proven to be particularly potent. Lancet has been used in 3,959 strikes in Ukraine, according to the pro-Russian open source loss-tracking site, Lostarmour. The majority of those strikes target Ukraine’s artillery systems and armoured vehicles, but they have secured a good number of hits against air defence systems too. With a range variously reported as being up to 80 km, and a clear ability to produce the munitions at scale, Russia has relied on Lancet to conduct its counter-battery fight and much of its dynamic targeting. It would represent a real threat to NATO’s frontline forces in the event of a war, so Sweden’s focus on it as a threat is well-placed. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on November 12th, 2026. The lead image shows a Mace loitering munition shortly before striking a target in the trees to the right of the image. Credit: FMV.