Ukraine and Norway have inked a landmark agreement to embark on their inaugural collaborative drone manufacturing venture. The initial consignment of drones is anticipated to reach the Ukrainian armed forces by this summer at the very latest. Both nations have set their sights on producing thousands of medium-range attack drones in Norway, specifically tailored for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's operational needs.

The financial backing for this ambitious project comes from supplementary Norwegian funds, ensuring that it operates independently of Norway's allocated defense aid budget of USD 7 billion earmarked for Ukraine this year. This accord stands as the inaugural collaborative endeavor between Norway and Ukraine under the 'Build Together with Ukraine' initiative, with the signing ceremony taking place in Kyiv.

The Norwegian Defense Minister emphasized that this partnership would not only bolster Norway's defense industrial prowess but also provide crucial support to Ukraine in its drone manufacturing efforts. In a further demonstration of commitment, Norway has pledged to acquire weapons and equipment exceeding USD 1.5 billion from Ukraine over the course of this year.