Norway will contribute ten billion Norwegian kroner to equipping and training a Ukrainian brigade
News story | Date: 11/04/2025 | Ministry of Defence
Norway takes a leading role in the training of soldiers for the brigade, which is being built up together with the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik announced this during the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Coordination Group in Brussels on the 11th of April. In close cooperation with Ukraine, the Nordic and Baltic countries will contribute with the training and equipping of a Ukrainian brigade, at the strong request of Ukraine itself.
‘Norway stands united with Europe for stronger support for Ukraine, both politically, economically and militarily. Building up larger land forces is important for Ukraine, and we have now set aside ten billion Norwegian kroner for this purpose in 2025. Our contribution is both materiel from our own defense and acquisitions of ammunition and materiel from Ukrainian and international industry. Not least, we will contribute with training’, said Tore O. Sandvik.
A brigade is set up with different types of arms so that it forms a complete land military combat unit that can operate independently. Normally, a brigade is between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers. The project is flexible and scalable and will provide equipment and training in accordance with Ukrainian needs.
‘The initiative will not be about equipping and training a complete new brigade. What Ukraine needs are "building blocks" in the form of smaller units that can form part of and reinforce existing brigades. Under Norwegian leadership, the Nordic and Baltic countries work closely with Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the training and equipment meet Ukrainian needs as well as possible’, said Sandvik.
Sandvik also had a bilateral meeting with its Ukrainian colleague, Rustem Umerov.
Norway also contributes funds in a British-led support package, which among other things, allocates funds for radar systems and drones.
The Norwegian government has proposed a sharp increase in military support to Ukraine in 2025, with an extra NOK 50 billion. With that, the Norwegian support for the Nansen program is NOK 85 billion this year.
'The support will go to materiel that is most important for Ukraine in its defense against Russia. We will continue to direct support towards, among other things, maritime security and air defence, as well as drones and autonomous systems. The government will also use funds to strengthen cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry and acquire materiel from them', said Sandvik.
In Brussels, Minister of Defence Sandvik signed an agreement that Norway will join the drone coalition. He also signed a memorandum of understanding that Norway will join the coalition for electronic warfare (EW).
The Nansen programme
Norwegian military support to Ukraine increases by 50 billion. NOK, i.e. to a total of NOK 72.5 billion kroner this year. With this additional package, Norway's total support to Ukraine is 85 billion. NOK in 2025. The total funds allocated for the Nansen program in the period 2023–2030is increased to NOK 205 billion.