– We will support Ukraine as long as it is needed, Gram told news. The flight alert went off several times when Gram visited Kyiv together with defense chief Eirik Kristoffersen on Friday. Gram had meetings with, among others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov. – I thank the Norwegian government, the Storting, and the Norwegian people for their support, Zelenskyj wrote on his Telegram account after the meeting. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Grams (right) and Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen (right) were given a tour of Kyiv, where several destroyed Russian tanks are on display. The air defense system delivered is of the NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air-Missile System) type. It is a Norwegian-made mobile air defense system for medium-range missiles where missile batteries are connected to radar. The range is 40 kilometers. Norway contributes launch pads, while the USA supplies radar, and it is assembled into two complete fire units. Norwegian-made NASAMS are donated to Ukraine. Photo: Martin Mellquist / Martin Mellquist / Forsvaret Radars are placed around the area the system is supposed to protect, and when a threat is detected, a launch pad will fire one or more missiles. The Air Force can and will be equipped with AMRAAM missiles that have their own radars to find and destroy the target. Norway’s contribution comes from its own warehouse in Norway. Thanks for the support The opinion is that the air defense should improve Ukraine’s ability to protect cities and critical infrastructure. Norway’s contribution is six launch pads and two fire control centres. Norway will also provide air defense training to Ukrainian soldiers. The Norwegian support is important to us, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov at a joint press conference with Gram. – I just want to say that Norway’s sophisticated military support for Ukraine has already been actively used for the protection of the Ukrainian people, also in Thursday’s Russian air strikes, Reznikov told news in Kyiv. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram received a traditional Ukrainian shirt from Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksij Reznikov in Kyiv on Friday. Gram said he is more than impressed by Ukraine’s ability to repel Russian aggression. He said the war is against international law. – We want open, liberal democracies. Russia and Putin and others want something else. We have to stand up and fight for the world we want, said Gram. Among other things, Defense Minister Gram laid flowers at the memorial plaque for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in the capital. Later, the Norwegian delegation got to see with their own eyes the devastation in Butsja and Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv, which were the scene of fierce fighting at the start of the war a year ago. Need for air defense The major air attack this week shows what a significant threat Ukraine is facing, according to Lieutenant Colonel Geir Hågen Karlsen. Lieutenant Colonel Geir Hågen Karlsen. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news The Russian bombing of cities and infrastructure is referred to as terrorist bombing by Prime Minister Støre, and air defense is, along with tanks and long-range missiles, Ukraine’s most critical need, he believes. – NASAMS is Norwegian weapons technology at its best and will be absolutely crucial for protecting the civilian population in Ukraine, says Hågen Karlsen to news. These are the Norwegian military contributions to Ukraine Tanks: * Norway will send eight Leopard tanks to Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers are to receive training and four support vehicles are included. Air defence: * Norway has provided an air defense system, in the form of the Mistral air defense system. The weapon is currently used in the Norwegian Navy and Norway has provided around 100 missiles. * Norwegian-made air defenses of the NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air-Missile System) type are also used in the war. It is a type of mobile air defense for medium-range missiles where missile batteries are connected to radar. ARMORED VEHICLES; ARTILLERY AND ROCKET * 14 armored vehicles of the type Iveco LAV III. This is the same model Norwegian forces used in Afghanistan. * 22 artillery shells or field artillery of the M109 type. At least 10,000 grenades were included. These are relatively short-range artillery shells with a high, curved projectile trajectory that can hit targets behind heights and similar obstacles. * 4,000 M72 anti-tank guns. These are anti-tank rockets in 66 mm and are effective against tanks. M141 rocket launchers are also to be purchased for a total of 280 million. * Hellfire missiles, which can be used against both sea and land targets. * Norway and Great Britain are cooperating to provide long-range rocket artillery of the type M270 MLRS, which is a self-propelled multi-tube rocket launcher placed on top of a tracked vehicle. * Norway, Denmark and Germany are to buy 16 Zuzana -2 artillery pieces that will go to Ukraine. This is similar to the M109 self-propelled artillery gun. AMMUNITION AND DRONES * The government will buy artillery ammunition for NOK 2.6 billion from Norwegian Nammo. * Norway has and has given a total of NOK 1.5 billion to a British fund which will contribute to the financing of weapons and equipment for Ukraine. The Norwegian microdrone Black Hornet for 90 million is part of this. MILITARY TRAINING: * Training of Ukrainian soldiers at a military base in Northern England where Norwegian instructors provide weapons training and knowledge of survival in wintery and difficult conditions. * Training in sanitation, sharpshooting and team driver training must also be provided. The training will continue in 2023. – Smart to join forces with the USA Norway does not want the war in Ukraine to increase tension in the northern regions, where Norway cooperates with Russia on fisheries, among other things. That is why it is smart to donate weapons together with the USA, according to Professor Tormod Heier. Professor Tormod Heier at the Staff School. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB – Norway will not be as visible to Russia at the same time as we are shown that we stand together with our allies and Ukraine, says Heier to news. Air defense, which is a self-defense weapon, fits well into the Norwegian self-image, Heier believes. Also in the past, Norway has contributed to this type of donation to Ukraine. Around 100 Ukrainian soldiers have received air defense training at a secret location in Norway. Ukraine package The delivery of NASAMS comes on top of a military aid package to Ukraine from Norway that includes both Leopard-2 tanks, advanced air defense, artillery and armored vehicles. The Norwegian M72 is in use in Ukraine and has proven effective against tanks. Photo: Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag Norwegian politicians, with the exception of the Red party, have agreed on a Ukraine package totaling NOK 75 billion, or NOK 15 billion over five years. Of the 15 billion to be spent on the war this year, half goes to military aid and the rest to civilian, humanitarian aid. The money comes on top of the roughly NOK 10 billion Norway spent on the Ukraine war last year. Last year’s military support totaled NOK 4.4 billion.
ttn-69