Norway authorizes direct arms sales to Ukraine: what does it change

The Norwegian government has decided to allow direct sales of arms and defense products from the Norwegian defense industry to Ukraine. The new rules came into force on January 1, 2024.

This was reported on the official website of the government. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram noted that this change will help "protect the fundamental interests of Norway's defense and security policy together with its allies."

Previously, Norwegian manufacturers of weapons and other military goods could not enter into direct contracts with the Ukrainian government. Norway has a law prohibiting direct exports of weapons to countries at war. According to the government's statement, this principle will continue to apply to other possible importing countries, with the exception of Ukraine.

Norwegian companies can now apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an export license to sell arms and defense products directly to Ukraine.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that export licenses for direct sales will be issued only on a case-by-case basis. All applications will be carefully considered. Control will continue to be carried out within a strict framework in accordance with Norwegian export control regulations.

According to the report, applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria

- direct sales of arms and defense products may be made only to the Ukrainian authorities;

- applications must include documentation and state guarantees regarding the end use and end user, as well as include a clause on re-export (subsequent transfer);

- transportation and delivery of arms and defense products must be carried out via safe and well-established logistics routes;

- applications are evaluated in accordance with Norwegian export control regulations and Norway's obligations under international law, including the UN Arms Trade Treaty;

- companies must apply for an export license in the electronic licensing system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on December 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at a special plenary session of the Norwegian Storting and noted that Ukraine has effective weapons to fight the Russian occupiers at the front, but not all the weapons the army needs. What we have is enough to wage war on the terms of freedom, but not on the terms imposed by the enemy.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!