Norway contributes NOK 700 million to Ukraine drone donation
The Norwegian developed micro-drone, Black Hornet, is one example of an UAS donated to Ukraine. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Norway has announced its recent contribution of NOK 700 million ($US 61 million) to the multinational initiative at meeting for the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCF) at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on 9 January.
Norway’s donation was made in collaboration with the IFU, making up part of an extra £190 million ($US233 million) worth of funding.
Its contribution will reportedly not only go towards drones, but maritime training in Ukraine, in a coalition which it is co-leading with the UK. Other countries to donate extra funding included Denmark, Portugal, Sweden and Germany.
Related Articles
US approves $226 million support package for Ukraine’s F-16s
Entire Black Sea “a contested maritime area”, says Commander of Estonian Navy
“Ukraine continues to have a strong need for additional military equipment to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression. Drones are a critical part of this effort, both for protecting critical infrastructure and for use on the front line,” said Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram.
The UK announced in a separate statement at the UDCF meeting that a total of 30,000 drones will be sent to Ukraine. £45 million worth of contracts were placed by the International Drone Capability Coalition – a venture co-led by the UK and Latvia. Other countries in this coalition include Denmark, Netherlands, Latvia and Sweden.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly highlighted the critical need for additional drones in the country as it deals with the ongoing Russian threat.
In November 2024, Finnish company Summa Defence established a drone production facility with Ukrainian partners to speed up the production of platforms for Ukraine.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition
The US$234 million award for 16 Sikorsky UH-60Ms preserves near-term production, but funding uncertainty and an undefinitised contract leave the US Army’s long-term Black Hawk requirements unresolved.
-
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry
Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.
-
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.