Norway donates mortar ammunition to Ukraine
News story | Date: 13/06/2024 | Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
'Ukraine's need for firepower is extensive and urgent. After dialogue with the Norwegian Armed Forces, we have assessed what we can do further donations from the Norwegian Armed Forces' stockpiles, which can quickly be transferred to Ukraine to help prevent a greater Russian advance. We have now donated 81mm mortar ammunition for a value of approximately NOK 480 million', sayd Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp).
Mortars are the lightest and most mobile of the artillery weapons, and can be both vehicle-mounted and portable. 81mm mortars normally have a range of 5-6 kilometers and supplement the heavier artillery at shorter distances. Ukraine's ammunition needs are extensive, and the mortar ammunition donated by Norway can be used by Ukraine in existing weapons.
Donates hand grenades, sniper ammunition and air defense
Norway has also recently donated hand grenades to the value of NOK 50 million and sniper ammunition to the value of NOK 3 million.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced in Stockholm on 31 May that Norway will contribute NOK 2.7 billion to air defense measures for Ukraine. On Tuesday this week, the German Minister of Defense announced that Germany, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands are participating in a joint venture to send 100 Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Norway contributes 125 million euros to this collaboration.
The Norwegian military support for Ukraine is part of a broad international effort among allies and partner countries. Through the Nansen programme, Norway contributed in 2023 military support to Ukraine of around NOK 10 billion, in the form of donations from the defense sector and industry, grants to international funds and mechanisms and training of Ukrainian personnel.
The Norwegian government has already made a number of major decisions on military support for 2024 and is at all times in dialogue with allies and partners on measures that can help cover high-priority Ukrainian military needs.