Norway pledges $400 million to boost Ukraine’s drone, air defence missile production

Norway has committed to a $400 million investment in Ukraine’s defenCe industry to bolster production of drones and air defenCe missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during his nightly address on June 22.

The announcement followed a visit to Kyiv by Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

“Today, Norway’s Minister of Defence visited Ukraine. A decision has been reached to invest $400 million in our production – new funding, primarily for drones,” Zelenskyy stated, underscoring the growing partnership between the two nations in the face of ongoing conflict.

The collaboration extends beyond drones, as both countries are actively working to establish joint air defence manufacturing capabilities within Ukraine. “We are working together to create all the necessary conditions to produce air defence systems in Ukraine — jointly with partners, jointly with Norway,” Zelenskyy added.

Highlighting the depth of this cooperation, Norway’s largest defence firm, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, has already inaugurated an office in Ukraine to facilitate the joint ventures. “We are expediting all processes to the maximum extent,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

Confirming the partnership, Norway’s Ministry of Defence revealed on social media platform X that Kongsberg has formalized an agreement with a prominent Ukrainian company to collaboratively develop and manufacture missiles for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).

“The Norwegian NASAMS system saves lives in Ukraine every day, and is crucial in protecting critical infrastructure. That is why it is important for the Norwegian Government to finance this development of cheaper missiles for the NASAMS system in Ukraine,” Minister Sandvik explained.

By Vafa Guliyeva