Norway will allocate €109 million for maritime drones for Ukraine
The Norwegian government is allocating 1.2 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately €109 million) for the development and procurement of maritime drones for Ukraine. This decision was announced during a meeting between Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The financial resources will be directed towards the production of crewless vessels, which will be provided by Norwegian and Ukrainian enterprises. It is expected that 200 such vessels, capable of being equipped with various systems, sensors, and armaments, will be delivered by the end of the year. Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, noting that Norway’s experience in the maritime industry will be beneficial in countering the threats faced by the Ukrainian state.
Collaboration with Ukraine also allows Norwegian military personnel to gain valuable experience in operating drone platforms, which are planned to be integrated into the Royal Norwegian Navy. Furthermore, the Norwegian parliament has supported allocating up to 70 billion kroner for military assistance to Ukraine by 2026. These funds will be distributed in close cooperation with Kyiv.
An important part of Norwegian-Ukrainian cooperation is the joint production of drones, announced in April 2026. Several thousand mid-strike drones are planned to be manufactured and handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Norway will finance these projects with additional funds.
In light of this cooperation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in May the establishment of a joint production with Norway of long-range 155mm artillery shells. This decision strengthens the defense cooperation between the two countries.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | €109 million |
| Number of drones | 200 by the end of the year |
| Cooperation date | April 2026 |
| Type of shells | 155mm artillery |
