Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has entered into agreements with two major Ukrainian industry players to develop air defense missiles and unmanned surface vessels in the country.
During a visit to the Ukrainian capital, Eirik Lie , President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, and a Ukrainian partner, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop and produce air defence missiles that can be used against various targets, such as drones.
The ceremony was attended by Ukrainian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umero v, as Kongsberg marked the opening of its new office in Kyiv.
“There is an urgent need to produce more cost-effective air defence missiles in large volumes, to deal with threats from attacking drones. Together with our Ukrainian partner, and with support from the Norwegian authorities, we look forward to developing an effective missile that we can manufacture and deliver in large numbers and that can be integrated with the NASAMS air defence system,” said Lie.
“The NASAMS air defence systems help save Ukrainian lives and protect critical infrastructure every day in Ukraine. The government is now funding the development of air defence missiles that are cheaper to produce and that can be used in conjunction with the NASAMS air defence system in Ukraine,” added Sandvik.
Separately, Kongsberg signed an MoU with another domestic industrial player for the development of unmanned surface vessels, or drone boats, equipped with weapon stations from the company. Further details were not disclosed.
“Unmanned vessels play a major role in helping Ukraine to defend its territory, and neutralise the Russian navy in the Black Sea, and with support from Kongsberg’s PROTECTOR weapon station systems and our domestic partners, we are ready to deliver the next generation unmanned maritime capabilities,” Lie noted.
Norway is also funding the development of the unmanned maritime capabilities.
To remind, Kongsberg recently signed a cooperation agreement with German Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) aimed at fostering further close industrial collaboration to support the defense requirements of Norway, Germany, and other allied countries.