
Norway opens new missile factory as global tensions soar
The war in Ukraine and Russia's ongoing threats of escalation against the West mean many countries are upping defense spending.
The war in Ukraine and Russia's ongoing threats of escalation against the West mean many countries are upping defense spending.
The ministry said that 125 million euros ($134 million) of that sum would be devoted to the re-procurement of Patriot missiles for Ukraine under a German-led initiative.
"At one point someone said it'll take 10 years (before Russia reconstitutes its offensive capacity), but I think we're back to less than 10 years because of the industrial base that is now running in Russia," said General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway's top general.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere signed a bilateral security agreement between the two countries in Stockholm on May 31.
Ukraine and Norway finalized negotiations on the text of a bilateral security agreement, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 23 after a call with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who also confirmed the country's participation in the upcoming global peace summit for Ukraine.
Key updates on May 23: * Syrskyi: Russia 'completely bogged down' in Vovchansk street fighting, deploys reserves * Ukraine's military intelligence confirms drone attack on Russia's Tatarstan Republic * Russian attack on Kharkiv kills 7, injures 21 * Ukraine downs another Russian Su-25 fighter jet in second shootdown reported in one day * Norway announces
"We stand with and support Ukraine as long as necessary," said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.
Russian citizens arriving in Norway for tourism and "other non-essential travel" will be rejected upon entry across the external border from May 29, the Norwegian government said. Exceptions will be granted in certain cases.
Key updates on May 1: * Ukrainian drones attack oil refineries in Russia's Ryazan, Voronezh oblasts * Norway to allocate over $630 million for Ukrainian air defense, ammunition * Death toll of Russia's April 29 strike on Odesa rises to 6 * Latvian FM: Some countries have provided Ukraine weapons with no restrictions on
The new funds will primarily support military aid to Ukraine, with a smaller portion allocated to civilian financial aid, Norway's prime minister said on April 30.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense revealed plans to provide up to $13.7 million for maintaining Leopard 2A4 tanks at a Polish maintenance center.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said there are "significant sums" to be directed to Ukraine's air defense but did not specify the exact amount.
The president said Ukraine is moving towards "an important agreement with the U.S.," adding that the agreement could happen after Congress approves the $61 aid bill for Ukraine that awaits an upcoming vote on April 20.
Barth Eide visited Odesa's port and said that he was "deeply impressed by the way Ukraine has been able to regain control and to ensure exports of grain to the world, despite constant Russian aggression."
"Ukraine urgently needs large quantities of artillery ammunition to withstand the Russian war of aggression," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said.
The Nordic Response 24 NATO exercises begin in northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway on March 4, for the first time with the participation of Finland as a NATO member, the Finnish public broadcaster YLE reported.