The Norwegian Government has announced that it will lead defence material cooperation between various allied nations and Ukraine at a strategic level within Nato.

Norway’s efforts to establish this defence material cooperation between Ukraine and other Nato allied nations will be in compliance with the western standards and working methods.

The government said that Nato has already carried out a review of efforts and capabilities that the allied nations can contribute within the defence procurement in Ukraine.

This review is slated to complete this year.

Once complete, it will help in formulating certain concrete measures, sponsored by one of the Nato’s support funds.

The latest announcement comes months after the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency’s (NDMA) signed a three-year long agreement with Ukraine in March 2023, to develop and establish a new Ukrainian defence material organisation.

At the time of signing this initial agreement, NDMA said that this work is being carried out as per the Nato standards and how other Nato conduct their procurement activities.

All the costs incurred by this collaboration will initially be covered by the NDMA.

The Norwegian government further confirmed that the UK and Sweden have joined its bilateral initiative with Ukraine to develop defence material organisation.

Norway Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said: “There have been major challenges with corruption within defence procurement in Ukraine.

“Ever since the Nato asked Norway for help in 2014, we have supported Ukraine by building integrity into laws, rules and procedures for the good defence procurement.”