Prime Minister gains new insight into use of drones and emerging technologies in Ukraine

News story | Date: 28/02/2026 | Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Defence

Drones are playing a key role in the war in Ukraine, and the Government is planning to provide more than NOK 12 billion in support to Ukraine in 2026 for the procurement of drones and autonomous systems. During his visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had the opportunity to see first-hand how drones are being used in the war and to witness the rapid technological developments taking place as a result of cooperation between Norwegian and Ukrainian companies.

'We are maintaining a close dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities on how best to target Norway's support to Ukraine, and drones have been identified as a top priority by Ukraine in its fight to defend itself against Russian attacks,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Prime Minister Støre has been on a two-day visit to Kyiv in connection with the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to announce how Norway's military support to Ukraine in 2026 is to be used.

Drone war

While he was in Kyiv, Prime Minister Støre and Ukrainian Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov visited the Lasar's Group, a unit operating under the National Guard of Ukraine. The Prime Minister was able to observe a live military operation that showed how the unit is managing to stop Russian attacks and destroy enemy equipment. Mr Støre also had the chance to meet the drone pilots.

'I was able to see first-hand how the Ukrainians are using drones to defend themselves against Russian drone attacks. I also talked to the drone pilots whose job this is. It made a strong impression on me. I learned a lot about how this war is being waged,' said Mr Støre.

Industrial cooperation

Prime Minister Støre also visited the Ukrainian defence technology company Fire Point, which has become an important producer of long-range strike drones and FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles.

'The company is developing technology on an ongoing basis, in response to changing needs and challenges, and these technological developments are taking place very rapidly. The pace of innovation we are seeing in Ukraine is something Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces must continue to learn from,' said Mr Støre.

Fire Point is cooperating with the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. A representative of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace also participated in the visit to the Ukrainian company.

'The Norwegian and Ukrainian defence industries have a great deal to learn from one another, and this cooperation is of mutual benefit not only to the companies involved but also to our two countries,' Mr Støre said.

Drone strategy

In Kyiv, many people have no access to water or electricity, following massive missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure over the past few weeks, and it is bitterly cold. At the same time, Russia is losing more than 1 000 soldiers every day, most of these as a result of drone attacks from Ukraine.

'Drones and autonomous systems have changed the dynamics on the battlefield, and Norway must ensure that it is at the forefront when it comes to developing and implementing new technologies. For this reason, the Government launched a new drone strategy for the defence sector in December last year. Our Ukrainian partners are providing Norway with unique insight into the experience Ukraine has gained during the war, including into emerging technologies, strategies and industrial developments,' said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.