Supporting Kiev is more important than stocking up the army, Norway’s defense chief has said
Norway’s soldiers lack basic winter gear as the NATO nation’s military leaders have prioritized sending aid to Ukraine, according to Forsvarets forum, a media outlet published by the Norwegian Armed Forces’ main trade union.
The national army is facing shortages of items essential for operating in a cold climate, including shell jackets, woolen underlayers, balaclavas and insulated field boots, the outlet reported on Monday.
The shortages were detailed in documents from the chief safety representative (HVO) in the Norwegian army and navy and the chief shop steward in the air force. Equipment such as helmets and combat vests are also in short supply. Some training activities have had to be canceled because of the shortage, the outlet added.
“We are contributing significantly to Ukraine, but it challenges our own ability to maintain readiness,” Forsvarets forum quoted Robert Hansen, the Navy’s HVO, as saying.
The concerns were downplayed by military leadership. “It is more important to support Ukraine now than to have absolutely everything in stock in Norway,” Norwegian Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen said, according to the outlet.
Norway, a founding member of NATO, has backed Ukraine in its conflict with Russia since 2022. This year alone it has allocated nearly $8.5 billion to Ukraine for military aid and reconstruction. Last year, Oslo allowed Kiev to carry out long-range strikes against Russia using NATO-provided weapons.
Earlier this month, Ukraine and Norway agreed to jointly produce military drones.
The disclosure comes in the wake of a major corruption scandal in Ukraine involving Timur Mindich, a former business partner and long-time associate of Vladimir Zelensky.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has alleged that Mindich, reportedly known as “Zelensky’s wallet,” was the ringleader of a scheme that extracted at least $100 million in kickbacks from contractors linked to state nuclear operator Energoatom.
Norway has also provided nearly $545 million in energy support to Kiev in 2025. Commenting on the scandal last month, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said the allegations were “serious” and stressed that “Norway has zero tolerance for defaults on Norwegian development aid.”
