Ukraine and Norway are launching joint production of Ukrainian drones for the first time. The plan includes manufacturing several thousand mid-strike drones, all of which will arrive to Ukraine.
Details
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this on April 27. According to the statement, Norway will finance the project using additional funds. These funds will be added to the previously planned $7 billion in defense support for Ukraine in 2026. In total, Norway intends to allocate more than $1.5 billion next year to purchase Ukrainian-made weapons for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
The agreement was signed in Kyiv. It will help scale up the production of Ukrainian technologies that have already proven effective on the battlefield. Moreover, the joint initiative is expected to strengthen the defense capabilities of both Ukraine and Norway.
“This is a true win-win partnership. Norway gains access to technologies that have demonstrated their effectiveness, while Ukraine receives the drones it needs to regain the initiative on the battlefield,” said Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov.
He also expressed gratitude to Norway for its continued support and for focusing on capabilities that are critically important for Ukraine. According to him, joint production and guaranteed baseline supply will further reinforce Ukrainian forces on the front line.
First Drone Deliveries
The first systems produced in Norway will arrive to Ukraine by summer. In addition, the agreement means conducting research as part of the cooperation.
Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik emphasized that the partnership benefits both countries and described it as one of the most important steps Norway is taking to strengthen its own security. He added that the experience gained through the project will help Norway expand its defense production capacity.
“Supporting Ukraine’s fight is the most important thing we do for Norway’s security. This is a mutually beneficial cooperation. It is a concrete and important step toward deepening Norwegian-Ukrainian ties, while also strengthening Norway’s defense industry and enabling Ukraine to produce drones in safe conditions on Norwegian territory,” Sandvik stated.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Ukraine and Estonia had agreed to significantly expand cooperation between their defense industries and launch joint weapons production. Priority areas include the development of unmanned systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and advanced IT solutions for frontline needs.
