Norway to donate air defense system to Ukraine

Norway has decided to donate the Mistral air defense system to Ukraine, Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) said on Wednesday.

The government plans to donate the Armed Forces’ stock of Mistral anti-aircraft missiles, which corresponds to about 100 missiles.

“The Mistral air defense system is an effective weapon that has been used in the Navy, and which will be of great benefit to Ukraine,” Minister of Defense Gram noted in a press release on Wednesday.

To be phased out in Norway

The Mistral system has been used on deminers and corvettes. According to the Ministry of Defense, it is a type of air defense system that the Armed Forces has planned to replace and will not have consequences in terms of Norway’s national preparedness.

“The Norwegian Armed Forces will phase it out, but it is still a modern and effective weapon that will be of great benefit to Ukraine. Other countries have also donated similar weapon systems,” Gram said.

The weapons have already been sent out of the country. Previously, Norway donated a total of 4,000 M72 anti-tank missiles, protective equipment, and other military equipment.

Supporting Ukraine

Mistral anti-aircraft missiles are short-range weapons used by vehicles, ships, or helicopters.

The arms delivery will most likely help Ukraine, associate professor at Luftkrigsskolen (LKS) Lars Peder Haga told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).

Conservative Party’s (H) Ine Eriksen Søreide says that they have given the government full support to donate the air defense system.

“The government must be quick in its decisions and also has the Conservatives’ support to provide heavier defense weapons,” she said in Politisk kvarter on NRK.

The Liberal Party (V) believes that the government must consider sending more modern weapons to Ukraine, such as the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams).

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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