Norway permits its defense industry to directly sell weapons to Ukraine - government

Norway has decided to permit its defense companies to directly sell weapons and defense products to Ukraine from January 1, according to a statement published on the government website on January 1.

"Support for Ukraine is important for Norwegian and European security. The government has therefore decided to permit direct sales of weapons and defense-related products from the Norwegian defense industry to Ukraine,’ says Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, as quoted in the statement.

Norway's military support has been organized according to four main arrangements: donations from its own stocks, donations procured through international cooperation and fund mechanisms, donations procured directly from the defense industry, and training of Ukrainian personnel, the statement says.

The policy change means Norwegian companies can apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an export license to directly sell weapons and defense-related products to Ukraine. All applications will be thoroughly assessed. The control will continue to take place within a strict and responsible framework, in line with the Norwegian export control regulations, according to the statement.