Report on shooting accident at Setermoen on 8 May 2025
Defence report 2026/02
The accident at Setermoen on 8 May 2025 occurred during an activity organized by the Armed Forces that involved overshooting with sniper weapons without protective cover. The purpose of the activity was for personnel to experience incoming fire, and to understand how difficult it was to locate the enemy. An observer, who was standing at the overshooting location together with the other personnel, was struck by a projectile and injured. The observer received initial treatment on site by colleagues and was then evacuated to hospital by air ambulance.
The investigation has shown that the shooter aimed at a point that provided less distance to the personnel than assumed, and therefore smaller safety margins. This occurred because the shooter had read the reticle in the riflescope wrong. Furthermore, the shooter’s platform on snow was unstable, which contributed to one or more projectiles striking snow and vegetation between the muzzle and the aim point, causing the projectile to change direction. Test firing after the accident showed no technical faults with the weapon or ammunition.
The shooter involved in the incident had completed and passed sniper training Level 1 and Level 2. The shooter was aware of the safety margins applicable to their training level. However, the NSIA considers that the shooter’s limited competence and practice with shooting with reduced safety angles contributed to the incorrect reading of the reticle.
The shooter was alone at the weapon and communication took place by phone between the shooter and the safety controller located with the personnel at the overshooting site. The NSIA believes that a safety controller at the weapon, as required by the safety regulations, could have helped prevent the accident. This assumes that the controller has the necessary competence to verify the aiming point, impact point, and the stability of the shooting platform. The safety regulations did not specify the tasks or competency requirements for the controller.
Personnel from the unit conducting the activity had sent instructors to a course at the Army’s Weapons School (HVS). This course did not follow the safety regulations’ requirement for a safety controller, and this practice was transferred to the unit conducting the exercise. The NSIA believes that the instructor courses must ensure correct and safe execution of activities at unit level.
The shooter was qualified to conduct the activity. However, the Armed Forces have stated that this type of activity should not be carried out without special competence, and that units must consult a chief sniper instructor must be consulted prior to execution. This information was neither included in the safety regulations nor known to the personnel who planned and conducted the activities in November 2024 and May 2025.
The requirements for the activity were described in two different chapters of the safety regulations, but the personnel involved believed that only one of these chapters applied. Several others in the Armed Forces, including snipers, shared this understanding. This shows that the safety regulations’ description of requirements for the activity was unclear. The NSIA believes the Armed Forces must clarify these requirements and ensure that units have correct and sufficient information about the prerequisites for the activity.
The NSIA also refers to previous investigations of incidents in the Armed Forces where safety regulations were not followed for various reasons. The Armed Forces have mechanisms in place to ensure that the safety regulations are correctly understood and followed during activities and exercises at unit level. However, The NSIA believes that the Armed Forces should evaluate these mechanisms.
The NSIA issues five safety recommendations as a result of the investigation.
Published 10.04.2026
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation Defence no 2026/01T
The accident at Setermoen on 8 May 2025 occurred during overshooting with a sniper weapon, without safe cover. An observer, who was standing at the overshooting location together with the other personnel, was struck by a projectile and injured. The Army’s Weapons School (HVS) and the involved unit have implemented and recommended several measures as a result of the accident.
The NSIA recommends that the Norwegian Armed Forces follow up on the measures from HVS and the involved unit and consider whether similar measures should be implemented in other parts of the Armed Forces.
Safety recommendation Defence no 2026/02T
The accident at Setermoen on 8 May 2025 occurred during overshooting with a sniper weapon, without safe cover. An observer, who was standing at the overshooting location together with the other personnel, was struck by a projectile and injured. However, the Armed Forces have stated that this type of activity should not be carried out without special competence, and that units must consult a chief sniper instructor must be consulted prior to execution. This information was neither included in the safety regulations nor known to the personnel who planned and conducted the activities in November 2024 and May 2025.
The NSIA recommends that the Norwegian Armed Forces clarify the requirements for conducting overshooting with sniper weapons without safe cover and ensure that units have correct and sufficient information about the prerequisites for the activity.
Safety recommendation Defence no 2026/03T
The accident at Setermoen on 8 May 2025 occurred during overshooting with a sniper weapon, without safe cover. An observer, who was standing at the overshooting location together with the other personnel, was struck by a projectile and injured. The NSIA considers that a safety controller at the weapon, as required by the Armed Forces’ safety regulations, could have helped prevent the accident. This assumes that the controller has the necessary competence to verify the aiming point, impact point, and the stability of the shooting platform. The safety regulations did not specify the tasks or competency requirements for the controller.
The NSIA recommends that the Norwegian Armed Forces regulate the tasks and competency requirements for the safety controller during education, training, and exercises involving overshooting with sniper weapons without safe cover.
Safety recommendation Defence no 2026/04T
The accident at Setermoen on 8 May 2025 occurred during overshooting with a sniper weapon, without safe cover. An observer, who was standing at the overshooting location together with the other personnel, was struck by a projectile and injured. The unit that conducted the activity had sent personnel to an instructor course organized by the Army`s Weapons School (HVS). During this course, the safety regulation requirement to have a safety controller at the weapon was not followed, and this practice was carried over to the unit that conducted the exercise. The NSIA considers that the Armed Forces’ instructor courses must ensure correct and safe execution of activities at the unit level.
The NSIA recommends that the Norwegian Armed Forces ensure that all instructor courses are conducted in a manner that contributes to the correct and safe execution of activities and exercises.
Safety recommendation Defence no 2026/05T
The accident at Setermoen on 8 May 2025 occurred during overshooting with a sniper weapon, without protective cover. An observer, who was standing at the overshooting location together with the other personnel, was struck by a projectile and injured. The requirements for the execution were described in two different chapters of the safety regulations, but the personnel involved believed that only one of these chapters was applicable. Several others in the Norwegian Armed Forces, including snipers, shared this understanding. The NSIA also refers to previous investigations of incidents in the Armed Forces where safety regulations were not followed for various reasons.
The NSIA recommends that the Norwegian Armed Forces establish mechanisms to ensure that the safety regulations are correctly understood and followed during the execution of activities and exercises.
Facts
| Location | Setermoen shooting and training range |
| Occurrence date | 08.05.2025 |
| Category of Occurrence | Accident |
| Defence branch | The Norwegian Army |
| Incident type | Weapon |
| County | Troms |