Photo: “Norway joins Ukraine and nine other European countries in establishing a new coalition for ballistic missile defence. The objective is to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and develop closer European cooperation against future missile threats.”
Photo: Stein-Ivar Lothe Eide / Office of the Prime Minister (SMK).
Norway has joined Ukraine and nine other European nations in establishing a new coalition for ballistic missile defence. The initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities while fostering closer European cooperation against future ballistic missile threats.
“Today, together with Ukraine and several European partners, we are announcing the establishment of a coalition for defensive ballistic missile defence. This initiative is driven by the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles and the need to strengthen Europe’s defence,” said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The coalition will bring together the participating nations’ expertise, industrial capabilities and technological resources to develop a European ballistic missile defence capability. The coalition currently consists of Ukraine, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
“We will work with determination and urgency to develop a ballistic missile defence capability for use in Ukraine and across the rest of Europe. The solution must be developed through joint efforts, technological openness and trust-based industrial cooperation. In this way, we can deter and defend against future missile threats,” Støre said.
The new capability is intended to complement existing ballistic missile defence systems, including national European systems that participating countries have already acquired or are planning to procure.
The participating nations have also issued a joint declaration formally establishing the new Ballistic Missile Defence Coalition.
“We will bring together the expertise of the defence industry, research institutions and our military experience. Our objective is to build a common European ballistic missile defence capability while supporting relevant collaborative activities. This initiative is not directed against anyone; it is about protecting our own populations. We recognise Ukraine’s unique experience gained in defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression. At the same time, acquiring air defence systems capable of providing effective protection against ballistic missiles remains extremely costly,” said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.
The Norwegian Government will contribute through technology transfer, the sharing of expertise, information exchange and other forms of necessary support. Norwegian industry will also play a key role in the initiative.
“We are also pleased that the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA), drawing on its extensive experience with the NASAMS air defence system, will participate in developing a new European ballistic missile defence capability,” Sandvik said.