Norway allocates $53M for Drones and Air Defense Systems for Ukraine
3 September, 2024 Illustrative photo of the flags of Ukraine and Norway. Photo from open sources Norway has allocated NOK 570 million (approximately £53.23 million) to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), led by the United Kingdom.
The Norwegian government announced this on its website. It is reported that Ukraine will receive more drones and more air defense systems to protect the Ukrainian population and critical infrastructure from Russian attacks. "Ukraine has an urgent need for more military equipment to protect itself from Russian aggression.
Together with other countries, Norway will do its best to contribute," stated Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.
Norwegian Bandvagn 202s in a truck that were shipped to Ukraine. May 2024. Photo credits: Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense has informed that the donation is the result of cooperation between the UK, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Norway.
The UK-led fund aims to provide Ukraine with military assistance through industrial procurement. Norway has already contributed NOK 1.8 billion to the IFU starting in 2022. Together with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland, a total of more than NOK 12.5 billion was allocated.
Norway has previously contributed to the purchase of, among other things, air defense equipment, mine clearance equipment, artillery ammunition, vehicles, engineering vehicles, asphalt pavers, spare parts, and equipment for the maintenance of Ukrainian platforms and small boats. On August 23, it was reported on Ukraine's plans to launch the production of 155-mm shells using the technology of the Norwegian company Nammo.
Production of 155mm ammunition at the Nammo enterprise. Photo credits: nytimes.com
"Our government has taken several steps to increase the production of artillery ammunition in Norway.
At the same time, we recognize the importance of strengthening the capacity of Ukrainians to produce modern ammunition in Ukraine," said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
The government has allocated funds to allow Nammo to transfer technology and experience to a Ukrainian partner.
The funding will be provided under the Nansen program.