You are here:

Norway provides Ukraine with NASAMS ground-based air defence system

News story | Date: 10/03/2023 | Ministry of Defence

This content is more than 1 year old.

Norway will provide Ukraine with two complete NASAMS firing units in cooperation with the United States. – Ukraine has a critical need to defend itself against missile attacks, and Norway will assist, says Norway’s minister of defence, Mr. Bjørn Arild Gram.

Gram visited Kyiv in Ukraine this week for meetings with president Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky — Bjørn Arild Gram met president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. Credit: www.president.gov.ua

In cooperation with the United States, Norway will provide Ukraine with two NASAMS firing units. They will come in addition to the two firing units provided by the United States last fall. NASAMS have proved to be an effective air defence system. Adding two more firing units will significantly improve Ukraine’s ability to protect its cities and critical infrastructure from Russian missile attacks. Norway will also train Ukrainian personnel in the maintenance and operation of the system.

- Norway has previously contributed equipment and training to US donations of NASAMS to Ukraine. These donations have been highly valued and contributed to defeat missile attacks. Continuing Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure highlight the need to further improve Ukraine’s air defence. Ukraine has repeatedly requested international partners to provide more and better air defence systems, says Gram.

Minister of Defense, Bjørn Arild Gram in Kyiv — Minister of Defense, Bjørn Arild Gram and Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Volodymyr Havrylov. Credit: Eirik Veum, The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST)

Visited Ukraine
Gram visited Kyiv in Ukraine this week for meetings with president Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyj and Minister of defence, Mr. Oleksii Reznikov.

Ministers of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram and Oleksii Reznikov. Credit: Eirik Veum, Norwegian PST

- More than a year has passed since the Russian regime started its war against Ukraine. The war has had enormous consequences. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and service personnel have been killed. Millions have been forced to flee their homes. Large parts of the country have been reduced to ruins. The devastation is difficult to comprehend. Seeing this with my own eyes makes a deep impression, says Gram.

Flower laying ceremony near the Wall of Remembrance of the fallen for Ukraine. Credit: Eirik Veum, The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST)

The Nansen Programme

The Norwegian parliament, Stortinget, recently agreed on a multi-year programme named after Fridtjof Nansen, the Norwegian diplomat, scientist and polar explorer, who led large-scale humanitarian assistance efforts in Russia and Ukraine following World War I. Under the Nansen Programme, Norway will grant NOK 15 bn (USD 1,6 bn) each year in the period 2023-2027. For 2023, half of the grant will go towards military assistance.

- Norway has made substantial contributions to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, and Norway will continue its assistance in the years to come, emphasises Gram.