Norway to provide NOK 5 billion for artillery ammunition for Ukraine

‘Ukraine needs a steady supply of artillery shells in order to maintain its fight for freedom against the Russian invading forces. It is important for Norway to contribute to efforts to replenish Ukraine’s ammunition stocks,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

‘Ukraine has made it clear to us that there is an urgent need for this type of support, and European countries are working together to meet this need,’ said Mr Støre.

Support to Ukraine is one of the topics that will be discussed at the meeting between Prime Minister Støre and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels today. The new allocation is Norway’s contribution to the ongoing collective financing initiative led by EU High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas.

NOK 4 billion of the allocation will go to the Czech-led large calibre ammunition initiative, to which Norway also contributed funding in 2024. The funding from Norway will help to increase the volume, and enhance the predictability, of artillery ammunition supplies in 2025.

NOK 1 billion for EU efforts to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine                                   

‘We are now strengthening our cooperation with the EU to provide Ukraine with, among other things, more artillery ammunition. Europe must assume greater responsibility for supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway will provide NOK 1 billion in funding to the European Peace Facility (EPF). Under the EPF, the EU provides military support to Ukraine with a focus on artillery ammunition, air defence and procurements from the Ukrainian defence industry. The funding from Norway will be used for artillery ammunition.

‘Norway and the EU have established close, effective cooperation on military assistance to Ukraine. Both our contribution to the European Peace Facility and the joint support for the Czech-led ammunition initiative clearly demonstrate that Europe continues to stand together with Ukraine,’ said Mr Støre.

The new allocation from Norway is part of the recently announced increase of NOK 50 billion in Norwegian support to Ukraine for 2025. This increase in support is in line with the agreement reached between all the political parties in the Storting and the Norwegian Government in March this year. The expanded funding framework is expected to be formally approved in connection with the Storting’s deliberations on the proposition to increase military support to Ukraine in 2025 (Prop. 107 S (2024–2025)).

Norway has previously provided funding for the purchase of artillery ammunition for Ukraine and procurements from Norwegian industry, in cooperation with other Nordic countries. Norway has also previously donated artillery shells from the stocks of the Norwegian Armed Forces and has shared Norwegian defence technology with Ukraine to facilitate licensed production of this type of ammunition in Ukraine.