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Ukraine to Produce Thousands of Mid-Strike Drones in Norway Under New Defense Deal
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Ukraine plans to produce several thousand mid-strike drones in Norway as part of its first joint unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production initiative, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced on April 27.
The project will be financed by Norway using funds allocated in addition to the previously approved $7 billion in defense support for Ukraine in 2026. All drones manufactured under the initiative will be supplied to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
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The agreement was signed in Kyiv by Norway’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Lars Ragnar Aalerud Hansen, and Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration, Serhii Boiev.
“The agreement opens opportunities to scale up the production of Ukrainian technologies that have already proven their effectiveness on the battlefield and to strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries,” the Ministry of Defense said.
The ministry also noted that Norway plans to allocate more than $1.5 billion this year for the procurement of Ukrainian-made weapons for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
The first drones produced in Norway are expected to be delivered to Ukraine by this summer. The agreement also provides broader industrial cooperation, including research efforts aimed at expanding Norway’s production capacity.
“Supporting Ukraine’s fight is the most important thing we are doing for Norway’s security. This is a cooperation that benefits both countries. It is an important and concrete step toward deepening Norwegian-Ukrainian cooperation, which at the same time strengthens Norway’s defense industry and gives Ukraine the opportunity to produce drones in safe conditions on Norwegian territory,” emphasized Norway’s Minister of Defense Tore Onshuus Sandvik.
According to him, the experience gained through this project will allow Norway to expand its production capacity in this critically important sector.
What is “mid-strike” drone
“Mid-strike” drones represent a new category of unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Ukraine in cooperation with international partners, including Norway. They are designed to fill the gap between low-cost FPV drones used on the frontline and more expensive long-range missile systems.
These drones are intended to strike high-value targets located in the enemy’s near rear, typically at distances of around 50 to 200 kilometers from the frontline. This operational niche allows them to target infrastructure and assets that are critical but not deeply positioned inside enemy territory.
The deepening defense cooperation between Ukraine and Norway also extends beyond joint production initiatives to the supply of advanced weaponry.
In addition to the drone manufacturing agreement, Ukraine has received a new type of modular hand grenade system from Norway, further enhancing its infantry capabilities with adaptable explosive devices.
According to Militarnyi on April 10, Norwegian defense company Nammo supplied Ukrainian forces with Scalable Offensive Hand Grenade (SOHG) systems. The system features a modular design, allowing soldiers to adjust the explosive power depending on operational needs.
Each grenade consists of a compact cylindrical unit that can be used independently or combined with additional modules. Up to three units can be connected into a single charge with a shared fuse, enabling scalable blast effects tailored to specific combat scenarios.
Days earlier, Ukraine and Estonia have outlined key areas for deepening their defense cooperation following talks in Kyiv between Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his Estonian counterpart Hanno Pevkur.
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, discussions centered on expanding joint weapons production and enhancing defense capabilities, with a strong focus on drone procurement and counter-drone technologies.
Fedorov expressed gratitude for Estonia’s ongoing military support, including its pledge to allocate at least 0.25% of its GDP annually to assist Ukraine—around €110 million in 2026. The funding is expected to be directed primarily toward drone acquisitions, air defense systems against unmanned threats, and the development of both countries’ defense industries.
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