The Norwegian government will allocate an additional NOK 1 billion to finance Ukraine’s air defense, the government’s press service reports.
“Ukrainians need more air defense to protect the population from Russian bombs and missiles. The brutal attacks we saw last week show why it is so important for Ukrainians to be protected from Russian air attacks. In the fall, together with Germany, Norway will deliver a complete IRIS-T anti-aircraft battery to Ukraine,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented on the decision.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide noted that support for air defense has long been one of Ukraine’s top priorities.
“Ukrainians know their needs best, and that is why we have close contact with Ukraine when we decide how to organize support for Ukraine,” he said.
It is noted that the allocated funds are part of the Norwegian Nansen program.
In the revised national budget, the government proposed to use up to NOK 4 billion from the Nansen program for air defense measures until 2024.
Most of these funds are earmarked for Germany’s Immediate Action for Air Defense initiative. The new measures are included in the funds identified through the RNB (revised national budget).
