Norway to Develop and Produce Uncrewed Surface Vessels in Ukraine

In a major show of support for Ukraine, Norway has announced that it will help develop and produce uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) directly on Ukrainian soil using advanced Norwegian technology, The Gaze reports.

This initiative is part of Norway’s broader contribution to the maritime coalition, which it co-leads with the United Kingdom.

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence revealed that approximately NOK 6.7 billion (about €570 million) has been allocated in 2025 to support maritime capabilities.

“Parts of this funding will be used to develop and produce uncrewed maritime vessels using KDA technology, with production based in Ukraine,” said Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed an agreement with a Ukrainian partner to begin joint development and manufacturing of USVs in Ukraine. 

These vessels will be based on proven Norwegian designs and produced locally, with an emphasis on enhancing Ukraine’s naval defense capabilities.

Uncrewed surface vessels are essential tools in Ukraine’s defense efforts, particularly in the Black Sea, where they help neutralize threats posed by the Russian navy and defend coastal territory from ongoing aggression.

This move not only strengthens Ukraine’s military capacity but also reflects a deepening of industrial and technological cooperation between Norway and Ukraine in the face of shared security challenges.

As The Gaze previously reported, on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore Onshuus Sandvik during his first official visit to Ukraine since his appointment in February.