Norway Pledges $312 Million to Boost Ukraine’s Defense Industry and Drone Capabilities

Norway has announced a significant commitment of 3.5 billion kroner ($312 million) to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities by directly purchasing military equipment from Ukrainian manufacturers and funding drone procurements for Kyiv. This initiative is part of Oslo’s broader strategy to support Ukraine’s war efforts while fostering closer industrial and technological cooperation between the two nations.

Recognizing the importance of local defense production, Norwegian officials emphasized that buying equipment from Ukrainian firms would enhance Ukraine’s manufacturing capacity, a crucial element in sustaining its military resistance. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre highlighted that these purchases not only supply Kyiv with much-needed equipment but also contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s long-term defense infrastructure.

As part of this effort, Norway will also allocate 600 million kroner ($53 million) specifically for acquiring drones and advancing drone technology for the Ukrainian armed forces. Drones have played a critical role in Ukraine’s military operations, from reconnaissance to precision strikes, and this funding aims to improve their effectiveness on the battlefield.

Norway’s Expanding Military Assistance to Ukraine

This latest funding aligns with Norway’s long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine. From 2023 to 2030, Oslo has pledged at least 155 billion kroner ($13.8 billion) in military and financial aid to Kyiv.

In January, Norway announced its largest-ever military assistance package, allocating $2.05 billion for Ukraine in 2024 alone. Additionally, the Scandinavian nation contributed 700 million kroner ($62 million) to a multinational initiative focused on procuring drones, further reinforcing Ukraine’s technological edge in combat.

Norway has also actively participated in European collaborative efforts to bolster Ukraine’s military industry. Last November, it pledged 500 million kroner ($44 million) in support of a Danish-Ukrainian program to procure military equipment from Ukrainian defense firms. Furthermore, in August, Norway approved the transfer of Nammo defense technology to a Ukrainian company, facilitating the production of 155mm artillery shells, which are crucial for Kyiv’s ongoing fight against Russian aggression.

With this latest funding push, Norway continues to be a strong European ally for Ukraine, ensuring that the country has both immediate and long-term capabilities to defend itself against Russian forces.