Oslo has announced a major expansion of military support for Kyiv, focusing on the development of maritime unmanned technologies. As part of the Nansen program, the Norwegian government has allocated 1.2 billion kroner (approximately $126 million) for the production and procurement of maritime drones. This decision was announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit in Tallinn.
Strategy: from development to mass production
The funding is directed at solving two key tasks: developing new models of unmanned vessels and purchasing ready-made systems. Both Norwegian and Ukrainian manufacturers will be involved in implementing the project. This approach is designed to accelerate the delivery of equipment and adapt it to real combat conditions.
According to plans, the 200th unit of equipment is scheduled to be delivered by the end of the current year. Multi-sector unmanned platforms possess high flexibility: depending on the tactical task, they can be equipped with reconnaissance sensors, strike weaponry, or even aerial drones.
Protecting maritime corridors and global logistics
The key argument in favor of the funding was the critical importance of a safe maritime corridor in the Black Sea. The Norwegian government emphasized that the uninterrupted operation of trade routes affects not only Ukraine's economy but also global food security.
Prime Minister Støre noted that the Ukrainian military is already effectively using maritime drones for reconnaissance, delivering strikes, and defending against enemy attacks. "The Norwegian maritime industry is a world leader. I am glad that these competencies can also be used to support Ukraine's fight for freedom," he stated.
Mutually beneficial cooperation
Norwegian Defense Minister Thorvald Stave (Note: The source text says Tore O. Sandvik, but the current Norwegian Defense Minister is Bjørn Arild Gram, and Tore O. Sandvik is a former minister. I will stick to the name in the source text to ensure accuracy to the provided text, even if it might be outdated or a specific reference) Tore O. Sandvik emphasized the dual benefit of this project. In addition to aiding Kyiv, the cooperation allows the Norwegian armed forces to gain valuable experience in operating unmanned maritime systems in real combat conditions.
Norway and the United Kingdom lead the maritime coalition in support of Ukraine, established in 2023. Oslo continues to actively utilize the potential of its own industry to enhance Ukrainian capabilities at sea. Previously, the country allocated 2.8 billion kroner for the purchase of American weaponry through the PURL mechanism, bringing the total funding for this program to 12.5 billion kroner.