Norway to Fund NOK 3.2 Billion in F-16 Ammunition and Air Defence Missiles for Ukraine Under JUMPSTART Programme

Norway’s government has pledged a new military aid package worth approximately NOK 3.2 billion ($312 million) to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities as its war with Russia enters its fourth year. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during his half-yearly press conference in Oslo and forms a key component of Norway’s long-term Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine.

Under this latest allocation, funds will be channelled through the JUMPSTART mechanism, a procurement route modelled on the U.S. Foreign Military Sales programme that allows Norway to purchase complete defence systems directly from the U.S. Department of Defense. The new support package includes F-16 ammunition, laser-guided precision systems, and long-range missiles, all of which Kyiv relies on to sustain its defensive operations against Russian military advances. 

Prime Minister Støre Emphasises Swift Delivery and Strategic Impact

Prime Minister Støre underscored the urgency of rapid delivery, noting that “We expect swift delivery of this package, which Ukraine relies on to repel Russian attacks and continue its fight for freedom.” He reiterated that Ukraine’s defence hinges on sustained military contributions from international partners to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Defence Minister Highlights Broad Capabilities Boost

Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik elaborated on the composition of the aid, stating that over NOK 1 billion is allocated for F-16 ammunition, complemented by advanced guidance systems that convert lower-cost missiles into precision weapons. The package also designates more than NOK 500 million for S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, widely used by Ukrainian forces to protect critical infrastructure and airspace. Sandvik stressed that both short-range and long-range capabilities are essential to defend against cruise missiles and other high-performance threats.

He further reiterated that air defence remains a core priority of Norway’s military support strategy, reflecting ongoing commitments to strengthen Ukraine’s layered defence architecture. 

JUMPSTART and Norway’s Long-Term Ukraine Support Framework

The JUMPSTART mechanism has been instrumental in Norway’s defence support for Ukraine, previously facilitating the acquisition of F-16 aircraft donations, spare parts, and weapons systems. Through JUMPSTART, countries like Norway are able to leverage U.S. procurement channels to deliver integrated systems efficiently and with oversight.

This latest package forms part of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway’s largest and longest-running aid initiative. Launched in 2023 with an originally planned budget of NOK 75 billion for military and civilian support, the programme was extended through 2030 and expanded to a total funding envelope of NOK 205 billion. It is designed to combine military assistance, humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and resilience programmes for Ukraine and affected neighbouring regions.

Norway’s Total Aid Commitment to Ukraine

Norway has emerged as one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters among European nations. In addition to the recent JUMPSTART allocations:

• Norway’s total planned aid for 2025 has been raised to approximately NOK 85 billion (about $7.8 billion), combining both military and civilian support — a more than twofold increase compared to earlier plans for the year. 

• Under the Nansen Support Programme, Norway has committed to long-term support through 2030, with total funding earmarked at NOK 205 billion. 

• Civilian and humanitarian assistance has included NOK 12.5 billion allocated for energy security, reconstruction, and relief efforts in 2025, alongside earlier humanitarian allocations. 

• From 2022–2024, Norway provided an estimated NOK 8.45 billion in humanitarian support to Ukraine and refugee responses.

Together, these figures place Norway’s cumulative Ukraine aid well into the tens of billions of kroner, blending direct defence support, civilian relief, and reconstruction assistance — making Norway one of the most significant contributors relative to its population in Europe.

Political and Strategic Rationale

Government officials have consistently framed Norway’s aid as not only a moral obligation but also a strategic investment in European security. Officials argue that strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities helps deter broader Russian aggression and stabilises the security landscape in the Euro-Atlantic region.

As Norway continues its multi-year support trajectory, defence officials have also emphasised the need to balance immediate battlefield needs with long-term capacity building, including air defence and precision strike systems that can sustain Ukraine’s forces in future phases of the conflict.