Ukraine and Norway discuss air defence and joint technology projects

Ukraine’s defence minister, Evgeniy Khmara, held talks with Norway’s finance minister on air defence and shared technology. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry reported the meeting on 5 November.

It named the Norwegian minister as Jens Stoltenberg. The talks focused on Russian ballistic missiles and drones powered by jet engines.

Norway plans to give Ukraine about €9 billion in 2027 through the Nansen Programme, the ministry said. It called Norway a key source of help for Ukraine’s air defence.

Khmara said Ukrainian forces were hitting Russian missile launchers to curb attacks on Ukraine. He said strikes on factories making missile parts were also cutting Russian output.

Those claims about the strikes and their effects came from Khmara. He said Ukraine planned more strikes deep inside Russia and wanted to improve their results.

The two sides also discussed ways to stop drones with jet engines. The ministry said Norway and other partners were helping Ukraine expand the role of its F-16 jets.

It said Norway’s help also let Ukraine use more tools to stop drones. These include turrets and drones built to intercept them.

Khmara said Ukraine was giving priority to underground defence sites, supply hubs and command posts. He said troops needed more supplies and gear to make their work easier and more effective.

He also called for Ukraine and Norway to share technology and skills, and to set up joint ventures. These were goals for closer ties. The account did not announce a signed deal on those ventures.

Ukraine’s Defence Ministry gave the account of the talks. The Ukrainian government published it.