On June 22, the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) — one of the world’s leading manufacturers of defense and aerospace systems — opened an office in Ukraine.
On June 22, the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) — one of the world’s leading manufacturers of defense and aerospace systems — opened an office in Ukraine.
«In cooperation with Kongsberg, we are focusing on the development of joint projects in the field of air defense. We are preparing new solutions based on NASAMS to strengthen the protection of the population and critical infrastructure. Air defense is one of our strategic priorities. This month alone, the enemy has launched over 3,500 missiles and UAVs. We are working on scaling up production and accelerating deliveries,» said the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov.
The Minister emphasized that the opening of the office is another step in the development of the partnership between Ukraine, Norway and Kongsberg. The cooperation will implement projects in the field of interceptor production, strengthening air defense and maritime protection — areas in which Kongsberg is a world leader.
In addition, this opens up new opportunities for cooperation between Ukrainian and Norwegian engineers — to increase the effectiveness of existing weapons and introduce innovations.
According to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, during the opening ceremony of the office, memorandums of understanding were signed between KDA and two Ukrainian companies. The documents provide for cooperation in the production of unmanned systems, both air and sea, air defense systems, and the joint development of high-tech weapons.
As a reminder, in February at the Munich Security Conference, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace President Erik Lee said that the agreement on a joint venture in Ukraine was close to completion. «We are talking about mass production of missiles — thousands of units. We expect the enterprises to be launched in a few months,» Mr. Lee added.
Kongsberg Defence is ready to invest in Ukraine despite the security risks, as Ukrainian technologies will become the basis for the future technological process. The company also hopes that the opening of joint ventures will help attract Ukrainian capacities for the production of air defense missiles, which will be integrated into the company’s supply chain to other markets.
Earlier, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that Ukraine plans to integrate domestic solutions into the NASAMS air defense system.
Over the past three years, Kongsberg Defence has increased production in Norway, the US and Australia. The worsening security situation in the world has increased the company’s orders, and as a result, additional production increases.
