The Norwegian government will allocate an additional NOK 1 billion to finance Ukraine's air defence. This was reported by Interfax-Ukraine, citing the government's press service.
"Ukrainians need more air defence to protect the population from Russian bombs and missiles. The brutal attacks we saw last week show why it is so important for Ukrainians to be protected from Russian air attacks. In the autumn, together with Germany, Norway will deliver a complete IRIS-T anti-aircraft battery to Ukraine," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented on the decision.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide noted that support for air defence has long been one of Ukraine's top priorities.
"Ukrainians know their needs best, and that is why we are in close contact with Ukraine when we decide how to organise support for Ukraine," he said.
The allocated funds are part of the Norwegian Nansen programme.
In the revised national budget, the government proposed to use up to NOK 4 billion from the Nansen programme for air defence measures until 2024. The majority of these funds will go to Germany's Immediate Action for Air Defence initiative. The new measures are included in the funds allocated through the RNB (revised national budget).
Ukraine will also receive six F-16 fighter jets from Norway.