Norway Allocates $640M for Drones for Ukraine

Norway has allocated 6.5 billion Norwegian kroner (about $640 million) to fund the purchase of drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The announcement was published on the Norwegian government’s official website.

The funds will be used to procure drones from both Ukrainian and European manufacturers as part of a large-scale acquisition effort involving foreign suppliers.

“Drones play a critical role in Ukraine’s fight for self-defense. They are vital for protecting critical infrastructure and for operations on the front lines. Norway’s contribution will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s ability to carry out necessary surveillance and strike missions,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre shared.

This allocation aligns with Norway’s broader plan to increase support for Ukraine by a total of 75 billion kroner by 2025, under a long-term assistance package passed by the Norwegian parliament.

“Funding drone procurement will also help Ukraine strengthen its domestic production capacity, which will remain crucial even after the war ends,” Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik noted.

The Norwegian government emphasized its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s most urgent defense priorities, including air defense, drones, artillery, and the procurement of equipment directly from the Ukrainian defense industry.

Norway officially joined the international drone coalition earlier this year and pledged additional support for Ukraine’s defense sector and drone production.

On June 23, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence also announced that it would fund the development and production of maritime drones on Ukrainian territory.

This project will be carried out in cooperation with Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, which will share technology and expertise with Ukrainian partners.

Norway’s 2025 budget includes 6.7 billion kroner (about €576 million) for its maritime coalition commitments, a framework coordinated closely with the United Kingdom.