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Ukraine and Norway Launch Joint Production of Long Range 155mm Artillery Shells
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Ukraine and Norway will launch joint production of long-range 155mm artillery shells as part of a new defense cooperation project aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities.
The announcement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his evening address on May 10, where he confirmed the start of implementation of the initiative.
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According to Zelenskyy, the production will focus on extended-range munitions, including systems similar to Norwegian HE-ER rounds produced by Nammo and US-made M549A1 rocket-assisted projectiles.
Such ammunition is designed to significantly increase firing range and improve counter-battery effectiveness at distances exceeding 40 kilometers, enhancing Ukraine’s ability to engage enemy artillery positions deeper behind the front line.
“Kill zones are expanding, and the use of all types of drones is a priority. But the soldiers themselves say artillery is needed. And specifically long-range artillery,” Zelenskyy said.
Additionally, Ukraine and Norway are set to launch a joint initiative to produce several thousand mid-range strike drones on Norwegian territory, marking the first Ukraine–Norway collaboration in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced the project on April 27, noting that it will be financed by Norway using additional funding beyond the previously approved $7 billion in military assistance for Ukraine in 2026. All drones produced under the arrangement will be delivered to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
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 creates opportunities to scale up the production of Ukrainian technologies that have already proven effective on the battlefield and to strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries,” the Ministry of Defense said.
The ministry also confirmed that Norway plans to allocate more than $1.5 billion this year for the procurement of Ukrainian-made weapons for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, further expanding bilateral defense-industrial cooperation.
This deepening partnership in drone production comes as part of a broader expansion of Ukrainian-Norwegian defense ties. In parallel to the UAV initiative, the two countries are also moving forward with plans to jointly produce long-range 155mm artillery ammunition, aimed at increasing strike range and improving counter-battery capabilities on the battlefield.
In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Norway on an official trip centered on security cooperation and defense consultations.
During the trip, Zelenskyy held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The discussions focused on continued military assistance to Ukraine, as well as broader issues related to European security.
Both sides coordinated further defense support measures and explored strategic priorities for long-term cooperation in the security sector.
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