The assistance package includes the Black Hornet drones themselves, spare parts, transportation and training for future operators. The cost will be up to NOK 90 million (€3.34 million), reported government of Norway.
The Ukrainian authorities requested this type of equipment from the allies to fight the Russian invasion.
The project is financed by a British fund, to which Norway contributed 400 million crowns (41.5 million euros).
The Black Hornet is used in a number of countries including the US and UK. The drone is designed for reconnaissance and target identification. According to Norwegian Defense Minister Björn Arild Gram, it is easy to operate, reliable, difficult to detect, and particularly well suited for fighting in urban areas.
The microdrone will be purchased from Teledyne Flir under a framework agreement with the Norwegian Defense Materials Agency. Procurement, training and delivery are carried out in cooperation with and coordinated by the British authorities.
The helicopter-type microdrone weighs 18 grams and is capable of operating on a fully charged battery for up to 25 minutes. The main rotor diameter is 120 mm, the maximum speed of the Black Hornet exceeds 20 km/h, and the range is about 2 km.
The Black Hornet kit includes two UAVs, a charger and a remote control tablet. One such set weighs about 1.3 kg.
An additional NOK 100 million (€10.4 million) from the fund is allocated for the purchase of Nightfighter drone protection systems from the British company SteelRock Technologies.
This is a portable installation that jams drone signals. The system is designed to protect small patrols, artillery positions and other critical assets.
