Norway to jointly with the Baltics take over a brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
The Norwegian publication Regjeringen reports that Norway is allocating 10 billion Norwegian kroner (about 830 million euros) to train one brigade for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This concerns the so-called "Northern" Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik noted, this initiative does not cover the full equipping of the brigade, but is aimed at training its individual units.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence plans to implement this project together with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
The country's Defense Minister Tore Sandvik said that Norway stands with Europe in favor of increasing support for Ukraine in both political, economic and military terms.
"Developing a large land force is important for Ukraine, and we have already allocated ten billion Norwegian kroner for this purpose in 2025. Our contribution includes both material means for our defence and the acquisition of ammunition and material means from Ukrainian and international industry. Last but not least, we will support training," Sandvik said.
It is noted that the brigade will be equipped with various types of weapons to enable it to operate independently. The brigade will number between three and five thousand soldiers.
"Under Norway's leadership, the Nordic and Baltic countries are working closely with the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that training and equipment meets Ukrainian needs as best as possible," Sandvik said.
The Northern Brigade project began in September 2024, when the Ukrainian government offered to equip and train a battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces each to the Nordic countries, with the Baltic states joining the project later. On 24 February 2025, the presidents of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and the prime ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway and Sweden announced that they would provide equipment and training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces brigade.
Sweden will purchase drones from the Polish company WB Group for Ukraine. The company produces the strike Warmate and reconnaissance FlyEye, the specific model for purchase is not specified. Lithuania intends to allocate 20 million euros to Ukraine for the purchase of ammunition.
In addition, according to Bloomberg, Norway, together with the British, will allocate $580 million to Ukraine for the urgent purchase of FPV drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines.
The new aid is part of a joint package of support for Ukraine and was announced at the latest meeting of Ukraine's military sponsors in Ramstein, Germany. It will also finance the repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment.
Bloomberg notes that Norway is betting on technological superiority by providing drones that can “effectively counter” Russian forces. European analysts believe that this approach could be aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position on the front lines in order to force Moscow to make “more serious” concessions at the negotiating table.
Norway, in partnership with the Baltic states , will take over a Ukrainian Armed Forces brigade.