Kongsberg to develop missiles and drone boats with Ukrainian industry

Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has signed two agreements with undisclosed Ukrainian companies to jointly develop and produce air defence missiles and unmanned surface vessels in Ukraine. The company also announced the opening of a permanent office in Kyiv.

The first memorandum of understanding (MOU) covers the development and production of low-cost, high-volume air defence missiles for use against targets such as drones.

Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, said the goal is to develop, "an effective missile that we can manufacture and deliver in large numbers" which can be integrated with the national advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS).

Norway’s Minister of Defense, Tore O. Sandvik, who attended the signing ceremony in Kyiv, confirmed that the Norwegian Government is funding the development. He described the project as being for air defence missiles that are "cheaper to produce" for use with the NASAMS system in Ukraine.

A second MOU was signed with another unnamed Ukrainian industrial partner for the development of unmanned surface vessels (USVs), or drone boats. The vessels will be equipped with weapon stations supplied by Kongsberg.

Lie stated that the company is ready to deliver, "the next generation unmanned maritime capabilities" with its partners. This part of the collaboration is also being funded by Norway.