This afternoon he briefed the Storting on the government’s decision. – Norway will consider various ways to contribute to the education and training of Ukrainian personnel on the F-16 fighter jet, says Gram to news. The United States and several European countries have indicated that they are positive about the training of Ukrainian personnel on the F-16. – The government is positive about such an initiative. Together with allies and partners, Norway is now assessing how we can contribute to education and training, says Gram. Among the parties in the Storting, it is above all the Liberals who have been keen for Norway to also contribute fighter jets to Ukraine. – We should be positive that western countries send planes and state it very clearly, because it can be important for clarifications needed in other countries, party leader Guri Melby recently told DN. She believes Norway should donate aircraft, if possible. Ukrainian pilots are already receiving training in the use of combat aircraft of the F-16 type in Poland and several other countries, stated the EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell yesterday. And this week, Denmark announced that it wants to play a central role in the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots. ARMS AID: Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) has announced new donations to Ukraine a number of times over the past year and a half. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Fighter Coalition Ukraine has long wanted fighter jets from the West in the war against Russia. But Western countries have long been skeptical of giving Ukraine fighter jets. In January at the latest, President Joe Biden answered no to questions about whether the United States would provide fighter jets to Ukraine. But now the situation is about to change. At the G7 meeting last week, Biden gave the go-ahead for allies to deliver F-16 aircraft to Ukraine. He also promised to contribute to training in the fighter planes. And Britain and the Netherlands have announced that they will build an international coalition to provide Ukraine with US fighter jets of this type. Last February, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Russian authorities have now warned Western countries against equipping Ukraine with combat aircraft. Western countries face a “colossal risk” if they send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, says Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko on Saturday. – We see that western countries are still escalating the situation. It involves a colossal risk for themselves, said Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko recently. A Norwegian F-16 fighter plane during take off from the Keflavik base during Island Air Policing. Photo: Torbjørn Kjosvold / Forsvaret Sold to Romania Gram’s message has previously been that Norway is constantly considering possible new donations to Ukraine. But he has not wanted to comment on specific, future contributions. – Norway has given considerable support to Ukraine after the invasion and will continue to do so in the years to come. Ukraine has widely addressed the need for fighter jets in the past, including in the international donor meeting IDCG, Gram said recently. Facts about Norwegian military support to Ukraine Norway provides three artillery localization radars and eight long-range rocket artillery of the MLRS type. The donations are made in close collaboration with Great Britain. Norway and Denmark donate 8,000 artillery shells to Ukraine. Norway donates the grenade itself, while Denmark donates the associated fire tube, powder bags and primer cartridges. Norway, in cooperation with the USA, will donate two complete NASAMS fire units to Ukraine. These will be in addition to the two units donated by the USA in autumn 2022. Norway will donate eight tanks and up to four support vehicles to Ukraine. In addition, we are earmarking funds for ammunition and spare parts 10,000 artillery shells for Ukraine. Norway will provide instructors for a multinational contribution to teach explosive disposal to Ukrainian soldiers. Norway will train Ukrainian specialists in sanitation, sharpshooting and team driver training. The training of Ukrainian specialists will be carried out in Norway. It is planned to start this spring and be carried out in several rounds through 2023. Norway contributes to the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Great Britain. This cooperation started in 2022 and will continue in 2023. (Source: Ministry of Defence) Since the beginning of the war, Norway has donated military material to Ukraine. This is crucial for Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against the Russian invasion, according to the minister. He points out that Norway has contributed air defences, artillery, artillery ammunition and tanks. – Norway also contributes heavily to the training and education of Ukrainian personnel, both in Norway and abroad. It is important that we continue to stand together in support of Ukraine. Norway will continue to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion forces as long as it is needed, says Gram. The Norwegian F-16 aircraft were taken out of service last year, after 42 years on assignment for Norway and NATO. In November of the same year, the government signed an agreement with Romania on the sale of 32 Norwegian F-16 fighters. The planes are still in Norway. According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, they must go through extensive preparation before they can be transferred to Romania. At the same time, Norway has entered into a contract with Draken International for the sale of up to 12 F-16 aircraft to be used in pilot training. Both sales are dependent on approval from the American and Norwegian authorities, which is still in process.
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Supports training of personnel on fighter aircraft – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
