Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik has revealed plans to invest Nkr10bn ($937.4m) towards the establishment and preparation of a Ukrainian brigade.
The country is at the forefront of efforts to train soldiers for this new unit, which is being developed in collaboration with nations from the Nordic and Baltic regions.
This pledge was made during the Ukraine Defense Coordination Group’s gathering in Brussels on 11 April 2025.
In response to a direct appeal from Ukraine, Norway, along with its Nordic and Baltic partners, will engage closely with the Ukrainian government to supply both training and necessary equipment for the brigade.
A brigade typically comprises various arms, creating a self-sufficient ground combat force capable of independent operations. The size of such a unit usually ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 troops.
The initiative is designed to be adaptable and expandable, aiming to meet the specific requirements of the Ukrainian military in terms of equipment provision and training.
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By GlobalDataSandvik said: “The initiative will not be about equipping and training a complete new brigade. What Ukraine needs are “building blocks” in the form of smaller units that can form part of and reinforce existing brigades.
“Under Norwegian leadership, the Nordic and Baltic countries work closely with Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the training and equipment meet Ukrainian needs as well as possible.”
During his time in Brussels, Sandvik also met bilaterally with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov.
Additionally, Norway is contributing to a British-led support package, which includes funding for radar systems and drones.
The Norwegian government has proposed an increase in military support to Ukraine for 2025, with an additional Nkr50bn.
This increase brings Norway’s total contribution to the Nansen programme to Nkr85bn for the current year.
Sandvik added: “The support will go to materiel that is most important for Ukraine in its defence against Russia.
“We will continue to direct support towards, among other things, maritime security and air defence, as well as drones and autonomous systems. The government will also use funds to strengthen cooperation with the Ukrainian defence industry and acquire materiel from them.”
Furthermore, Sandvik signed an agreement in Brussels for Norway to join the drone coalition and a memorandum of understanding for participation in the coalition for electronic warfare (EW).
With these agreements, the total funds allocated for the Nansen programme from 2023 to 2030 have risen to Nkr205bn.
