SalMar founder backs major drone donation to Ukraine frontlines.
Gustav Witzøe, founder and principal owner of salmon farming giant SalMar, has helped fund the delivery of 100 drones to Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade through his family investment firm, Kvarv AS.
The initiative — dubbed “Operasjon Kvarv” — is a joint effort between Witzøe and the Norwegian volunteer group Fritt Ukraina, with half the NOK 5 million ($470,000) donation coming directly from Kvarv. The remaining funding was raised from Ukrainian donors.
The recipient unit, based in the Kharkiv region near the front line, will receive both standard and thermal drones, enhancing night-time surveillance and frontline coordination capabilities. The thermal-equipped Mavic 3T units are expected to significantly improve battlefield monitoring and soldier protection.
“This kind of targeted support has a direct effect at the front,” said Natalia Golis, Secretary General of Fritt Ukraina. “We deeply appreciate the contribution from Witzøe and all those who continue to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom.”
Gustav Witzøe said the family had previously supported Fritt Ukraina and its co-founders Peter Christian Frølich and Natalia Golis: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something,” Witzøe said.
The drone handover was part of Fritt Ukraina’s 83rd logistics operation in June and also included five vehicles — three Mercedes Vitos from Bergen-based Eviny — along with ten Eco-Flow power stations. The delivery also contained uniforms for Ukrainian Air Force personnel operating Norwegian-supplied F-16 jets.
Witzøe’s family firm Kvarv is the majority shareholder in SalMar, one of the world’s largest Atlantic salmon producers, and is based in Frøya, Trøndelag.