Norway to provide NOK 6.5 billion for procurement of drones for Ukraine

‘Drones play a vital part in Ukraine’s fight to defend itself. They are important both to protect critical infrastructure and for use on the front line. The contribution from Norway will significantly enhance Ukraine’s capacity to carry out necessary surveillance and operations using drones.’ Said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Of critical importance

Drones have come to play a prominent role in Ukraine’s war effort. Norway formally joined the Drone Capability Coalition in April and has previously declared its intention to increase its support for the Ukrainian defence industry and to the procurement of drones for Ukraine.

This is the first large-scale drone procurement being made directly from foreign manufacturers. This is in line with one of the objectives underpinning the decision taken in March this year by the Storting (Norwegian national assembly) to increase support to Ukraine for 2025 by NOK 50 billion.

Ukraine’s own priorities

The Government gives priority to meeting the military needs based on what Ukraine itself defines as most important, such as air defence systems, drones, artillery and procurement of defence equipment from Ukrainian companies.

‘Funding for drone procurement will help to build an independent Ukrainian deterrence capability, which will also be important after a potential peace agreement is reached. Norway is helping to provide defence equipment that is crucial to Ukraine’s fight to defend itself. We will continue to direct our support towards maritime security, air defence, drones and autonomous systems. We will also give priority to providing support for the procurement of defence equipment from Ukrainian manufacturers and the Nordic-Baltic cooperation on equipping and training new Ukrainian military units,’ said Minister of Defence Tore O Sandvik.

The support provided and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine will also help to strengthen the Armed Forces and Norwegian defence capability.