Norway sending $70M in mobile counter-drone tech to Ukraine

Ukraine will be getting reinforcements to its broadening patchwork of counter-drone assets with the delivery of Cortex Typhon systems from Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, estimated to be worth around £56 million ($70 million).

Kongsberg made the announcement of the pending transfer of its Cortex Typhon counter-drone tech as part of Norway’s involvement with the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine. The organization is underwriting the £56 million cost of the unspecified number of units, which are described as effective in neutralizing drones of a wide range of sizes and sophistication.

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The company said the counter-drone system integrates several free-standing military assets that have proven their mettle in simulated and actual conflict situations around the globe. Those include software and hardware from Teledyne Flir, and Kongsberg surveillance tech, remote weapon stations, and the Cortex integrated combat solution.

In contrast to many of the fixed and ground-based counter-drone platforms Ukraine has received from international allies including the US, UK, France, and Norway to detect, jam, and neutralize incoming Russian UAVs, Kongsberg says its Cortex Typhon is mounted on armored vehicles to locate and blast enemy craft on the move. To that end, the assistance package will also delivery large-caliber machine guns and ammunition for those weapons.

“This will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s counter-drone capabilities and help protect the Ukrainian population and infrastructure,” said Eric Lee, president of Kongsberg.

Despite the brute blasting power the Cortex Typhon combos use against UAVs, Kongsberg enigmatically confides the counter-drone units also rely on tech that will permit Ukraine defenders to “disable others in some way” – presumably through electronic means. 

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The transfer is an additional sign of how counter-drone tech has become nearly as important in supporting the defense of Ukraine as the tanks, anti-air batteries, and fighter jets Kyiv has continually requested from allies (and mostly – though not always or quickly – gotten).

“The support of the West is crucial for Ukraine to repel Russia’s brutal invasion,” said Norwegian Minister of Defense Arild Gram. “Norway has provided much support to Ukraine since the invasion, and the government will continue to provide as much support as needed.”