Ukraine and Norway have announced the start of joint production of medium-range drones for the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, noting that the production facilities will be located in Norway, and all manufactured products will be transferred to the Ukrainian military.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Signing of the Strategic Agreement and Project Financing
The relevant agreement was signed in Kyiv between the Ambassador of Norway Lars Ragnar Aalerud Hansen and the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for European Integration Serhiy Boyev. According to the agreements, the Norwegian side will finance the project from additional funds that will be allocated beyond the previously announced $7 billion in defense assistance to Ukraine for 2026.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine emphasized that the agreement opens new prospects for scaling up the production of Ukrainian technologies that have already proven their effectiveness on the battlefield, and will also contribute to enhancing the defense capabilities of both countries.
“It is planned to produce several thousand mid-strike drones on the territory of Norway. All products manufactured within the project will be transferred to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.”
Development of Defense Cooperation and Partnership Prospects
In 2026, Norway plans to invest over $1.5 billion in the procurement of weapons produced in Ukraine for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized that joint projects for the production and supply of drones to brigades significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian army on the front lines.
The Ministry of Defense also reported that the first unmanned systems manufactured in Norway are expected to be delivered to the Ukrainian Defense Forces by the summer of this year. The agreement provides not only for the production of drones but also for the development of broad industrial cooperation, including conducting joint research in the field of defense technologies.
Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik confirmed the signing of the agreement and noted that supporting Ukraine is a priority for Norway’s security. He expressed satisfaction with the promptness of implementing the goals outlined in the Norwegian strategy for the development of drone technologies, approved in December of last year.
The minister emphasized that this project is an important step towards deepening Norwegian-Ukrainian cooperation, strengthening Norway’s defense industry, and providing Ukraine with the necessary assistance in drone production under safe conditions.
According to Sandvik, the experience gained will contribute to further increasing Norway’s production capacities in critically important areas of defense.
It is worth noting that on April 14, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre signed a Joint Declaration on deepening cooperation in the field of defense and security, taking the first step towards the implementation of the so-called Drone Deal.