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Ukraine and Norway to expand cooperation in air defence, drones and defence innovation

Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, agreed on cooperation priorities with Norway’s Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik
Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, agreed on cooperation priorities with Norway’s Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik

Ukraine and Norway agreed on priority areas for defence cooperation ahead of the upcoming Ramstein-format meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, scheduled for April 15.

This includes strengthening air defence, developing unmanned systems, supporting innovative projects, and enhancing the capabilities of the Defence Forces.

Cooperation priorities

During a conversation between Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, and Norway’s Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik, the parties identified key areas of near-term cooperation.

Key priorities for Ukraine include:

  • strengthening air defence and advancing the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) initiative;
  • support for the ‘Czech initiative’;
  • support for innovative projects to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces.

The parties also discussed support for the project to provide brigades with drones, one of the key areas for strengthening the military and increasing the effectiveness of engaging enemy targets on the battlefield.

Implementation of the War Plan

The Ukrainian side briefed partners on the implementation of the War Plan and the results achieved in recent months.

Specifically, Ukraine has:

  • enhanced airspace protection;
  • scaled up the lower-tier air defence system through the use of interceptor drones;
  • improved target engagement effectiveness.

March was the most successful month under the ‘Army of Drones. Bonus’ programme in terms of enemy targets destroyed. The Defence Forces of Ukraine are also carrying out asymmetric operations aimed at diminishing the aggressor’s economic potential.

Strengthening air defence and exchange of experience

Ukraine further highlighted the critical importance of support from partners in safeguarding its airspace. The supply of air defence systems and other solutions helped Ukraine get through the difficult winter period, protect critical infrastructure, and stabilise the situation in the energy sector.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine expressed gratitude to his Norwegian counterpart for sustained support and extended an invitation to visit Ukraine. This would provide an opportunity to observe lower-tier air defence systems and unmanned systems in operation. Ukraine is ready to share this experience with Norway as part of building a mutually beneficial partnership.

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