“There is a wide range of different drone solutions, but it is not always easy to know which ones are relevant to specific needs,” says Nicole Kringos, one of the two directors of the KTH Centre for Total Defence. (Photo: Christer Gummeson)

Published Oct 21, 2026

When roads are blocked, power grids are damaged or medicines need to be delivered quickly, a small drone can make a big difference. But for the technology to work in a crisis, people need to know how to use it. That is why KTH is launching a drone training programme for civil defence this autumn.

Drones are expected to play an increasingly important role in emergency preparedness – in healthcare, energy supply, transport and other essential services.

“Part of preparedness planning involves finding alternative solutions when the usual ones no longer work. Drones can play an important role here. There is now a wide range of drone solutions available, but it is not always easy to know which ones are relevant to different needs,” says Nicole Kringos , professor and one of the two directors of the KTH Centre for Total Defence.

In the event of sabotage, a storm or flooding, a drone can quickly provide an overview of infrastructure such as power lines, bridges, roads, railways and energy facilities. This can make it possible to locate damage without staff first having to search large areas on foot or send out vehicles without knowing where to look.

Drones can be valuable for rapid deliveries of medicines, spare parts and other essential equipment to places that are difficult or risky to reach.

Compared with crewed operations, they can also reduce costs, energy consumption and risks, points out Patrik Hilber , professor and initiator of the training programme.

“A drone is cheaper, requires considerably less training and uses much less energy than, for example, a helicopter. And if something goes wrong, the risks are much lower. This makes drones both more accessible and more sustainable,” he says.

This autumn’s three-day course, Drones in Society, has around 30 participants who work for municipalities and the Swedish Armed Forces. They will learn about regulations, obtain drone pilot certificates and explore how drones can be used in areas including energy, research, emergency response and crisis preparedness. Practical exercises are also included.

“Understanding which rules apply and when you are allowed to fly is not always easy. There are EU regulations, national rules and local restrictions. In an emergency, difficult questions can arise: Are you allowed to fly over a crowd? Who has the authority to make that decision?”

What do you hope the course will lead to?

“One important part is giving participants the opportunity to talk to one another and meet in a workshop. People from different fields can share experiences, gain a better understanding of each other’s needs and learn about both the benefits and the limitations of drones.

“Another hope is that we will have 30 people who can actually fly drones. That in itself is an important boost in skills. From there, we will have a foundation to build on – and something concrete to work with when we want to take the next step.”

Text: Christer Gummeson ( gummeson@kth.se )