The Norwegian government boosting Ukrainian defence industry

News story | Date: 27/06/2025 | Ministry of Defence

The Norwegian Government and Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) announced development and production of low-cost air defence missiles and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Ukraine. During his first visit to Kyiv, the Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik met with president Volodymyr Zelenskyj, Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov and Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin.

During his first visit to Kyiv, the Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik met with president Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Credit: Ministry of Defence in Ukraine

June 22nd 2025, Norwegian company KDA entered agreements with two major Ukrainian industry companies to develop and deliver low-cost air defence missiles and unmanned surface vessels in Ukraine. The Norwegian government Norway will finance the development. KDA also announced that they are establishing a permanent office in Kyiv.

More air defence missiles at low-cost

The Norwegian NASAMS air defence system already play an important part in saving lives and protecting critical infrastructure in Ukraine every day.

– The Norwegian government is now funding the development of air defence missiles that are cheaper to produce and which can also be integrated with the NASAMS air defence system in Ukraine, said Minister Tore O. Sandvik during his visit to Kyiv.

– There is an urgent need to produce more cost-effective air defence missiles in large volumes, to deal with threats from attacking drones. Together with our Ukrainian partner, and with support from the Norwegian authorities, we look forward to developing missiles that we can manufacture and deliver in large numbers and that can be integrated with the NASAMS air defence system, said Eirik Lie, President of KDA.

Rustem Umerov og Tore O. Sandvik — Minister of Defence in Ukraina, Rustem Umerov, and Minister of Defence in Norway, Tore O. Sandvik. Credit: Ministry of Defence in Ukraine

Boosting of maritime capabilities through the Maritime Coalition

Norway has allocated approximately 580 million EUROs in 2025 to support the maritime coalition, co-led with the United Kingdom.

– Parts of this funding will be used to develop and produce unmanned surface vessels, also called drone boats, using KDA technology, with production based in Ukraine, said Sandvik.

– Unmanned vessels play a major role in helping Ukraine to defend its territory, and with support from Kongsberg’s systems and our domestic partners, we are ready to deliver the next generation unmanned maritime capabilities,” said KDA President Lie.