UK and Norway join forces to purchase micro-drones for Ukraine worth $9 mln
Black Hornet-dronen. Credit: Torbjørn Kjosvold, Forsvaret
Norway and Great Britain have joined forces to purchase Norwegian-made Black Hornet micro-drones for delivery to Ukraine
The Ministry of Defense of Norway announced this, Rubryka reports.
As noted in the press release, the purchase cost will amount to 90 million Norwegian kroner ($9.1 million).
The package includes Black Hornet systems with spare parts, transport, and training. Funding will come through a British-led fund to which Norway has contributed 400 million kroner.
The Ministry of Defense noted that the Ukrainian authorities requested this type of equipment to use in the fight against russia's invasion.
The drone developed in Norway is used in several NATO allied countries, including the United States and Britain. The drone is used for surveillance and target identification.
According to Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram, it is easy to operate, reliable, difficult to detect, and particularly well suited for combat in urban areas.
Also, the fund will purchase a system for combating drones for approximately NOK 100 million. Nightfighter from the British SteelRock Technologies was chosen as the system.
"Norway and the UK remain determined to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine. These cutting-edge drones will help give Ukraine's troops a vital advantage on the battlefield as they fight to defend their country against Putin's brutal and unprovoked invasion," says UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
Reference
SteelRock Nightfighter is a portable system that provides protection against drones through effective jamming.
The system is suitable for protecting small patrols, artillery positions, and other vital assets.
Norway joined the large-scale training program of Ukrainian service members in Britain.
Finland, Sweden, Canada, and Denmark also announced their participation in the training of the Ukrainian military.
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Read Rubryka's daily timeline of war: current news on Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression.
