Norway has entered into a partnership with Ukraine for the joint production of Ukrainian mid-strike drones in the country, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced on April 27, 2026.
According to the Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi, the project will be financed by Norway using additional funds beyond the $7 billion already allocated to support Ukraine’s defense in 2026.
The agreement was signed in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, by Norway’s ambassador to Ukraine, Lars Ragnar Aalerud Hansen, and Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration, Serhii Boiev.
The announcement comes after it was revealed that Norway had secured the necessary licenses to manufacture Ukrainian drones in the country. The first systems produced in Norway are expected to be delivered to the Ukrainian Defense Forces as early as this summer.
“Supporting Ukraine’s fight is the most important thing we do for Norway’s security. This is a mutually beneficial cooperation,” said Norway’s Minister of Defense, Tore Onshuus Sandvik.
“This is an important and concrete step to strengthen Norwegian-Ukrainian ties, while boosting Norway’s defense industry and enabling Ukraine to safely produce drones on Norwegian territory.”
The agreement also includes broader industrial cooperation, including research and development. Sandvik added that the experience gained from the project will help Norway expand its production capacity in this critical field, a point echoed by Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s minister.
“Thank you to Norway for its consistent support and focus on capabilities that are critically needed for Ukraine. Joint production projects and guaranteed drone supply to brigades directly strengthen our forces on the battlefield,” Fedorov said.
“Norway gains the opportunity to produce technologies that have proven their effectiveness, while Ukraine receives the drones needed to regain initiative on the front line. This is a true partnership [where both sides win].”
Mid-strike drones are a type of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed in Ukraine to bridge the gap between low-cost kamikaze drones and more expensive air defense systems.
These drones are designed to strike high-value targets at distances of about 50 to 200 kilometers from the front line. This operational niche allows them to target infrastructure and assets that are critical but not deeply located within enemy territory.
Photo: Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
