11 Billion from Next Year’s Ukraine budget Must Be used Before Christmas

Defense Minister Tore O.Sandvik is speeding up support for parts of Ukraine to ensure faster deliveries of air defense and artillery. Photo: Nina Hansen / Dagbladet

• We are speeding up possible acquisitions of air defense and artillery. We do this becuase the situation in Ukraine is critical. They need regular arms deliveries,and this can help maintain the pace,says Defense Minister tore O. Sandvik (Ap) to Dagbladet.

Specifically, the plan is to quickly buy military material from allied countries such as the USA, Great Britain and Germany for NOK 10.9 billion, because payments directly to Ukrainian industry have taken longer than expected. This is due, among other things, to the need for control mechanisms to ensure that the money goes to what it is indeed supposed to.

• The ambition is to get this done before Christmas. We know that the capacity for delivery is quite good, and we are in dialog with them [landene vi kjøper våpen fra] about getting it done as quickly as possible, says Sandvik.

Norway to Increase Support for Ukraine’s Air Defense

The Minister of Defense says the government is willing to take bigger risks to support Ukraine.

This is because a Ukrainian loss would have serious consequences for Ukraine, Norway, and Europe, according to Sandvik.

He states that Ukrainian officials did not ask for a change in the type of support being provided.

“We realized this ourselves and have been working on it for some time,” Sandvik said. “They have specifically requested more air defense systems. They are very worried about protecting themselves from the large number of missiles and drones that attack them nightly. This is crucial for the winter months.”