Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has entered agreements with two major Ukrainian industry players to develop and deliver low-cost, high-volume air defence missiles and unmanned surface vessels in the country. At the same time, the company announced it is establishing a permanent office in Kyiv.

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.

MORE COST-EFFECTIVE
“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 Eirik Lie President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The ceremony was attended by Sandvik and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov, as Kongsberg marked the opening of its new office in Kyiv.

MARITIME CAPABILITIES
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 Kongsberg.

“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 added.

Norway is also funding the development of the unmanned maritime capabilities.