Norway will give Ukraine IRIS-T missiles and may provide F-16 fighter jets

This was stated by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway will also provide demining equipment.

"Ukraine now needs urgent military and material support. They have a great need for missiles and ammunition for air defense. Here Norway supports as much as it can," the Norwegian government's press service quoted the prime minister as saying.

In addition, several sources informed TV2 about the country's plan to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine.

Thus, Norway becomes the third NATO country after the Netherlands and Denmark to provide Ukraine with F-16 combat aircraft. However, their number is not specified.

On his Telegram channel, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, posted an emoji hinting at Norway's decision.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is on an official visit to Kyiv on Thursday, Ukraine's Independence Day, the outlet notes.

F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine

On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry adviser Yuriy Sak said that Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighter jets in the fall of 2023.

In July, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

On August 17, the US approved the delivery of F-16 multi-role fighter jets to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Denmark said it would supply Ukraine with 19 aircraft, provided they are not used on Russian territory. The first group of pilots has already begun training on F-16s in Denmark.