© Pool photo by Andy Buchanan
Norway officially established its second brigade in the Arctic region bordering Russia, advancing toward NATO’s commitment to triple brigade capacity by 2032, Euractiv reported on 21 August.
The newly formed Finnmark Brigade implements the country’s first national security strategy adopted earlier this year, which calls for rapid defense reinforcement and deeper EU cooperation.
“We have to live with a more dangerous and unpredictable Russia. The creation of the Finnmark Brigade is a necessary response to a more uncertain security situation in the world,” Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said.
Oslo currently maintains slightly over 4,500 soldiers on active duty, supplemented by the National Guard comprising over 40,000 personnel who completed 12-month initial service. The country practices military conscription for both men and women.
NATO brigades typically number 3,000-5,000 soldiers. The founding alliance member plans further military expansion through a third brigade to be stationed in the country’s south.
Concurrent with the Finnmark deployment, the government transferred recently renovated facilities worth 130 million euros (1.5 billion Norwegian kroner) in Porsangmoen, Finnmark province. Operating as one of the world’s northernmost military garrisons, the brigade will monitor the Russian border and militarized Kola Peninsula.
According to the country’s long-term defense plan, the brigade will be reinforced with combat air defense, an artillery battalion, one light infantry battalion, an engineer company, and a reconnaissance squadron.
In 2024, Norway’s parliament approved a plan increasing Oslo’s defense spending to nearly 138 billion euros by 2036 – approximately 51 billion euros (611 billion Norwegian kroner) more than current levels. This 37-percent defense spending increase will significantly strengthen Norway’s naval power through five new frigates and complete submarine fleet modernization.
Four NATO members recently conducted naval exercises in Arctic waters as part of broader Far North patrol deployment. Norway also conducted spring trials for a 13-member Arctic reconnaissance group lasting 100 days.
Germany will fund a $500 million package of US-sourced weapons for Ukraine under NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. NATO said the shipment will focus on urgent operational needs, such as air defense systems to counter intensified Russian air strikes.
On 13 August, Germany’s Foreign Ministry said the PURL initiative covers military equipment either not produced by European industry or available more quickly from the United States than from European partners or Canada. The list includes critical air defense capabilities needed to counter Russian aerial attacks that are causing growing civilian casualties across Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Berlin’s decision, calling it proof of Germany’s enduring commitment to Ukraine’s defense. He said the new package will help Kyiv defend itself against Russian aggression and underlined Germany’s role as NATO’s largest European military donor to Ukraine.
Germany’s Defense Ministry confirmed the package will be one of the first major contributions under the NATO mechanism. Officials stressed that the funding is intended to meet Ukraine’s most urgent battlefield requirements.
Germany’s contribution follows earlier announcements by the Netherlands, as well as a joint pledge from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Each package is valued at about $500 million and is sourced from US stockpiles to accelerate delivery.
The German government said the decision underscores its commitment to substantial and reliable support for Ukraine, as well as solidarity within the alliance. Coordination with NATO and allied governments on the details is ongoing.
Previously, US President Donald Trump announced on 14 July that the United States will supply Ukraine with multiple packages of military equipment and munitions, purchased by NATO. He named Patriot air defense systems among the weapons planned for delivery.
Norway will send F-35 fighter jets to Poland in the fall to protect the Rzeszow-Yasenka airport, one of the key transportation hubs for NATO military aid to Ukraine, Norwegian Defense Ministry announced on June 30.
The news came as Russia has escalated attacks against Ukrainian cities over the past weeks, launching record 400-500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) per night.
Norway is thus strengthening its contribution to NATO's air and missile defense, while the main goal of the mission is to support the protection of Polish airspace and a key logistics center for assistance to Ukraine, the statement read.
"This is a vital contribution. We are helping ensure that support to Ukraine reaches its destination, and that Ukraine can continue its fight for freedom," Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik said.
The Rzeszow-Jasionka airport is located less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Ukrainian border and transports a significant percentage of Western materiel bound for the front lines in Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that 90% of aid for Ukraine was going through the airport in Rzeszow as of Novermber 2024.
It is also a main stopover point for foreign leadership traveling to Kyiv on official visits.
In January, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Berlin will deploy the promised Patriot air defenses around the Polish airport to protect it.
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
Lithuania has signed a memorandum with American defense firm Northrop Grumman and Norwegian Nammo to secure the production of ammunition amid Russia's war against Ukraine, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced on June 24.
"By strengthening our national defense industry, we are investing in both technological capabilities and Lithuania’s resilience to crises. This Memorandum of Understanding will allow us to better equip our armed forces and help Lithuania become an important link in international supply chains," Lithuanian Vice Minister of National Defense Loreta Maskalioviene said.
"The investment and expertise of our allies... will significantly contribute to strengthening of the national defense industry and security not only in Lithuania, but also in the entire region, including Ukraine. The development of the defense industry and investment in production must come without delay," Lithuanian Finance Minister Rimantas Sadzius said.
Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has sparked concern in Europe that Russia could attack NATO's eastern flank, including Poland, the Baltic countries, and Finland.
Ukrainian intelligence has evidence that Russia is preparing new military operations in Europe, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 22.
The partnership will be implemented at the state-owned Giraite Armament Factory, the announcement said, adding that the factory is set to be integrated into Northrop Grumman’s international supply chains.
Northrop Grumman will supply ammunition produced in the Lithuanian defense factory to the international market.
Nammo, as a subcontractor, will provide Northrop Grumman with the 35 mm ammunition production technology.
"It will enhance national strategic autonomy in defense and deepen partnerships with NATO allies, the United States, and Norway. The planned production of ammunition is of critical importance to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, our allies, and Ukraine," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said.
The memorandum will initiate negotiations for the production of medium caliber ammunition, ranging in size from 20-50 mm.
The Giraite Armament Factory will be provided with 35 mm ammunition production technology from the two defense firms, the announcement said.
Sakaliene noted that the new partnership will ensure an uninterrupted supply of ammunition to Lithuania's Armed Forces.
NATO is holding a summit in The Hague from June 24-25 with world leaders, including Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump present.
The White House has confirmed that Trump and Zelensky will hold a meeting at the NATO summit.
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Norway will invest $400 million in Ukraine's defense industry to support drone and air defense missile production, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address on June 22.
The announcement followed a visit to Ukraine by Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik.
"Today, Norway’s Minister of Defense visited Ukraine. A decision has been reached to invest $400 million in our production – new funding, primarily for drones," Zelensky said.
Zelensky added that the two countries are also working together to establish joint air defense production inside Ukraine.
"We are working together to create all the necessary conditions to produce air defense systems in Ukraine — jointly with partners, jointly with Norway," Zelensky said.
He added that Norway's largest defense company – Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace – has already opened an office in Ukraine as part of the cooperation.
"We are expediting all processes to the maximum extent," Zelensky said.
On X, Norway's defense ministry confirmed that Kongsberg has signed agreement with a major Ukrainian company to jointly develop and produce missiles for air defense systems in Ukraine.
The collaboration will focus on producing missiles for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS.
"The Norwegian NASAMS system saves lives in Ukraine every day, and is crucial in protecting critical infrastructure. That is why it is important for the Norwegian Government to finance this development of cheaper missiles for the NASAMS system in Ukraine," said Minister Sandvik.
The announcement marks deepening ties between Kyiv and Oslo as Ukraine seeks to expand its domestic defense industry amid Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion and reduced military aid from the United States.
The Kyiv IndependentSonya Bandouil
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