Ukraine and Norway are set to launch joint production of long-range 155-mm artillery shells. It is therefore worth considering its implications for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as its specifications and manufacturer.
The agreement is likely to involve the Norwegian company NAMMO, which manufactures a wide range of ammunition, including large-caliber rounds and their propellants. Efforts are also underway to scale up production volumes.
Read more: Ukraine Deploys AI Anti-Drone Turrets That Destroy Fiber-Optic Drones With One Button Press (Video)
This is further supported by reports that in 2024 the company signed agreements with Ukraine for the licensed production of ammunition, and that the Norwegian government had "paved the way" for the transfer of defense technologies. At the same time, there were almost no details about the implementation of this project in open sources.
Now, based on these agreements, work will most likely focus specifically on long-range projectiles. This is an important field, where the Defense Forces of Ukraine require up to 1.2 million units per year, so additional supplies are needed.
NAMMO's main 155mm products are HE-ER rounds, with a range of 34 km when fired from a 52-caliber barrel and up to 41 km in the base-bleed version. Depending on the variant, they contain 9 to 10 kg of explosive.
The company is also collaborating with Boeing to develop the Ramjet 155 long-range projectile, which is designed to strike targets at ranges of up to 150 km. To achieve this, a ramjet engine is being used, although there is still no information on when mass production will begin.
In addition to shells, the Norwegian partners may also manufacture the explosives needed for the ammunition, although it is currently unknown whether an agreement has been reached. It is also unknown whether the cooperation will extend to training rounds.
At the same time, it is important that, once joint production is established in Ukraine, orders are not overlooked. This comes after Ukrainian Armor recently raised concerns about the procurement process, reporting that contracts for long-range artillery rounds have not yet been signed.
Read more: NATO Conducts Eastern Phoenix 26 Exercise Incorporating Ukrainian Counter-Drone Combat Experience
