IRIA News

The Norwegian government has announced its decision to allow direct weapons sales and military equipment from Norway’s defense industry to the Ukrainian defense authorities. The policy shift entered into force on January 1, 2024.

Norway’s Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram said, “This change means that we are safeguarding fundamental defense and security policy interests for Norway together with our allies. The Government employs a number of instruments to facilitate the important role of the defense industry in the current security policy situation.”

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Norwegian government has donated several weapons and defense-related products to Ukraine. “The government has since followed up with a series of donations in line with Ukraine’s needs,” the statement added.

Norway’s military support for Ukraine has been organized according to four arrangements, including, 1) Donations from own inventories, 2) Donations procured through international cooperation and fund mechanisms, 3) Donations procured directly from the defense industry, and 4) Training of Ukrainian personnel.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, “In the extraordinary security situation resulting from Russia’s war of aggression, it is crucial that we continue to support Ukraine. Support for Ukraine is important for Norwegian and European security.”

Eide added “We must plan for the possibility that the illegal war of aggression may be prolonged. The Government has therefore decided to permit direct sales of weapons and defense-related products from the Norwegian defense industry to Ukraine.”

According to the Norwegian government statement, the decision “is in line with Norwegian export control framework” and direct sales of weapons will take place “under strict conditions”. However, the statement highlighted the importance of providing defense equipment to Ukraine and allowing them to purchase the weapons they urgently need.

Under the new policy, Norwegian companies need to apply for an export license in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ E-licensing system and meet the criteria for direct sales of weapons and defense-related products to Ukraine. Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the applicants will be “thoroughly assessed” and export licenses “will only be granted on a case-by-case basis.”

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assess the applications based on the following criteria:

• Direct sales of weapons and defense-related products can only be made to Ukrainian authorities.
• Applications must include documentation and government assurances regarding end-use and end-user and must include a re-export (subsequent transfer) clause.
• Transportation and delivery of weapons and defense-related products must take place through secure and established logistics routes. 
• Applications are assessed in accordance with Norwegian export control regulations and Norway’s obligations under international law, including the UN Arms Trade Treaty.

Norway’s support for Ukraine

On December 13, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo on a surprise visit to meet with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. During Zelenskyy’s visit, Norway announced $31 million worth of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine from its own inventories.

Norway’s Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram highlighted that “Air defense systems are of vital importance to Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is asking for more air defense in order to defend themselves.”

The Norwegian government has announced the donation of eight more NASAMS launch systems and four more fire-direction units, which it says is the same number of systems as donated previously. According to the Norwegian Defense Ministry, the equipment can be sent “within a relatively short time” and will play a crucial in strengthening Ukrainian air defense against Russian attacks this winter.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also announced additional support for Ukraine and promised around $1 billion in co-financing to boost the production of artillery shells and missiles for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his New Year address that Ukrainian pilots are training on F-16 fighter jets and will soon join the fleet to fight Russian forces. Zelenskyy also thanked allies for providing weapons including Patriot systems, IRIS-T, HIMARS, NASAMS, Hawk, as well as Abrams and Leopard tanks. The Ukrainian president also announced that in 2024 Ukraine will start the domestic production of weapons, military equipment, artillery, and drones.