Third Update to Scientific Applications of Uncrewed Vehicles in Svalbard (UAV Svalbard 4)

This is chapter 4 of the State of Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report 2025. This chapter provides an updated overview of drone-based research in Svalbard, building on 115 scientific articles published up to August 2025. The analysis shows that drones are now widely used across disciplines, with uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) dominating but marine drone systems gradually gaining importance. Most studies arecarried out in summer, leading to a seasonal bias in observations in the available datasets. In 2021, new regulations under the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act introduced a general ban on drones in protected areas, and seasonal buffer zones around bird cliffs. These rules substantially constrain scientific operations, although exemptions can be granted by the Governor of Svalbard. In parallel, EU regulations have clarified requirements for class-marked drones, pilot training, and remote identification. The broader implications of these new rules highlight both the challenges and opportunities of using drones in Arctic science. Drones are a key element in the observational pyramid, linking satellites with in-situ data and enabling crossdisciplinary integration within the SIOS observing system. Their continued use is highly relevant for society, as they provide unique insights into climate change impacts, biodiversity, and environmental dynamics in Svalbard. To safeguard this potential, improved data sharing, access to shared platforms, competence building, and dialogue with regulators are urgently needed. Searchable database for scientific literature that utilises unmanned vehicles in Svalbard: https://sios-svalbard.org/UAV_Svalbard