During the NATO Summit on July 11, Norwegian Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram signed a declaration with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Romania and the United Kingdom on the training of the Ukrainian Air Force.
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– The countries in the coalition want to help Ukraine to defend its own airspace. If we can achieve this, we will form a joint coalition for the training of the Ukrainian Air Force in the operation and maintenance of F-16 fighters, and with the possibility of incorporating other types of fighters at a later stage, says Bjørn Arild Gram.
– We agree that continued support for Ukraine is of paramount importance in light of Russia's brutal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. The F-16 Coalition will initially focus on training. Norway intends to participate with the staff in the training that is taking place in Denmark, says Gram.
Coalition members agree to start training Ukrainian pilots, technicians and support staff. This will provide the Ukrainian Air Force with basic F-16 fighter service and maintenance capabilities. This includes the provision of appropriate equipment, instructors as well as other personnel. All training activities will be conducted outside of Ukraine.
Norwegian technical thought - drones for Ukraine
Norway is also donating 1000 new Norwegian Black Hornet drone kits to Ukraine.
– Ukraine is very satisfied with the Norwegian deliveries of this type of reconnaissance drones so far. They were created in cooperation with the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Institute for Defense Research. The drone, which has been named Black Hornet, is manufactured in Norway and we are now donating 1000 new drone kits to Ukraine, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.
“The drone is a good example of the value of close collaboration between authorities, academia and industry,” says Gram.
Military nanodrones are defined as small drones weighing less than 50 grams. The Black Hornet weighs 32 grams. Since its launch in 2007, more than 14 Black Hornet drones in various versions have been delivered to over 000 customers around the world. The USA is its largest recipient. Norway received its first Black Hornet in 40, and drones are now widely introduced in army departments.
Norway donates not only military equipment to Ukraine
– In addition to the fact that Norway stands up for Ukraine by donating military equipment, we also want to increase support for immediate, non-lethal needs. That's why we're now shipping Norwegian field supplies to Ukraine. We are talking about 150 field rations, 000 lunches and dinners and 80 breakfast meals, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram
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Source: regjeringen
Photo: Torbjørn Kjosvold, Prime Minister's Office/ in the photo: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Minister foreign affairs Anniken Huitfeldt and Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram at the press briefing of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
