Norway will allocate nearly $130 million for the procurement of maritime drones for Ukraine

The Norwegian government has announced it will allocate 1.2 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately $126 million) to develop and procure maritime drones for Ukraine. Both Ukrainian and Norwegian manufacturers will supply the vessels.

By the end of the year, Norway expects to deliver 200 vessels to Ukraine in various configurations. Some of the drones may be equipped with weapons or UAVs. Ukraine will be able to use them for reconnaissance, offensive operations, and defence against Russian attacks. In particular, the maritime drones will support the operation of the “grain corridor” – a maritime route established in September 2023 for transporting cargo to and from Ukrainian ports.

The procurement funding will come from the Nansen Support Programme. This is an initiative worth 75 billion Norwegian kroner, which Ukraine is receiving incrementally over the period 2023–2027. Its funds are directed towards both civilian and military purposes.

The Norwegian government noted that the country, together with the United Kingdom, co-leads the Maritime Capability Coalition. It was established in 2023 to restore, rearm, and develop the naval forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik also stated that cooperation with Ukraine supports the training of Norwegian personnel and will strengthen capabilities for the gradual integration of drones into a long-term naval development plan.

As a reminder, Ukraine and Norway are also launching joint production of mid-strike drones. In total, the two countries plan to manufacture several thousand UAVs.