Norway allocates almost US$90 million to expand arms production for Ukraine

Norway has decided to allocate up to 967 million kroner (about US£89.9 million) for four new projects aimed at increasing capacity, including the production of rocket engines and components for creating explosives. Source: Norway's Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda Details: Bjorn Arild Gram, Norwegian Defence Minister, said that there is currently a critical need for defence equipment both in Ukraine and its allies and at the national level.

Quote: "The roadmap is a comprehensive plan to help increase production capacity in the Norwegian defence industry.

With this, we are taking responsibility for contributing to meeting the needs of Ukraine, our nation, and our allies," he stressed. The minister stressed that in Norway and Europe, defence production capacity has been reduced after several decades of peace and declining demand, and that Russia's invasion of Ukraine requires a change in this trend. He emphasised that Ukraine depends on access to air defence systems, missiles, artillery shells and other equipment to continue its defence.

"Both our industry and government have done much to boost production in Norway, but this remains a complex and long-term challenge for all our allies.

With this roadmap, we are taking responsibility for enhancing both Norwegian and allied capacity to support Ukraine in their resistance against aggression," he said. Gram said the country would increase support for innovation for Norwegian defence companies developing equipment for Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence noted that the funds will be directed to:

• small and medium-sized Norwegian companies that can apply for funding for the industrial production of technologies that could be useful for the Ukrainian defence forces;
• a new rocket engine production line at the Nammo plant in Raufoss;
• increase in Norwegian production of hexamine, an important component for the creation of modern explosives; a feasibility study for a new explosives plant.

As it is known, Norway is one of the few Western countries that produces the kind of explosives that Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russia.

Background:

• Recently, it was reported that the Norwegian government plans to allocate about US£23.6 million for Norfund (the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries) investments in Ukraine.
• In September, the country decided to allocate an additional EUR48.28 million to the International Fund for Ukraine for the purchase of drones and air defence equipment.
• Previously, Norway contributed to the acquisition of air defence equipment, demining equipment, artillery ammunition, trucks, engineering vehicles, cranes, spare parts, and equipment for servicing Ukrainian platforms and small boats.
• On 10 October, it was reported that the heads of Norwegian companies Itera, Moelven and EksFin met with members of the board of the Ukrainian Financial Housing Company (Ukrfinzhytlo) and discussed the possibility of implementing the Housing for Ukraine pilot project.

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