Norwegian company NAMMO to help Ukraine boost 155 mm shell production

The Norwegian company Nammo, a leading ammunition manufacturer, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with a Ukrainian defense enterprise to establish a joint venture for the production of 155-mm shells.

This was reported on Telegram by Herman Smetanin, Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries, according to Rubryka.

Smetanin noted that serial production of 155-mm ammunition began in Ukraine last year.

"Last year, serial production of 155-mm ammunition started in Ukraine. Today, this is the main artillery caliber of the Ukrainian army and NATO member countries. The domestic defense industry must increase its production," he emphasized.

He added that the new agreement deepens ongoing cooperation between Norway and Ukraine, supported by both governments at the bilateral level.

"This concerns a wider range of ammunition, components, and materials. It also includes an agreement to establish a joint venture for the production of 155-mm ammunition in Ukraine," the statement said.

The agreement is expected to significantly strengthen ammunition production, as Nammo is one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in Europe.

Investments in the Ukrainian defense complex

On March 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Finnish President Alexander Stubb held a meeting with leaders of Finnish companies from the defense-industrial complex, mining, energy, and telecommunications sectors. The main focus of the meeting was to expand cooperation and strengthen the defense production capabilities of both Ukraine and Finland.

During the meeting, Minister for Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin discussed with Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkinen the potential for Finnish companies to open production facilities in Ukraine.

Additionally, Smetanin and Oleksandr Kamyshin, Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Strategic Issues, held a series of meetings with Czech defense company leaders. They agreed to expand partnerships in the production of defense-related goods.

In September 2023, the Czech Republic pledged to provide Ukraine with a license to produce CZ BREN 2 assault rifles. By November 2024, licensed assembly of BREN 2 rifles began at one of the enterprises of the Ukrainian Defense Industry Joint Stock Company.