The Danish government has approved the 16th tranche of military aid to Ukraine, which will include artillery systems and ammunition.

The news was published on the official website of the Danish Ministry of Defense.

Denmark is allocating a large tranche of military equipment, including artillery systems and ammunition worth about DKK 2.3 billion ($336.6 million) for Ukraine.

The assistance will be financed through the Ukrainian Foundation and includes purchases of Caesar self-propelled howitzers, 120-mm self-propelled mortars, and ammunition from manufacturers.

“Artillery and mortar systems are in great demand in Ukraine. With this aid package, we are making a significant contribution to the fight for Ukraine’s freedom,” said Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Production of artillery

It is noted that the artillery systems will be ordered in cooperation with France, which probably involves the joint purchase of 78 Caesar howitzers for Ukraine as part of the French procurement initiative by the “international artillery coalition.”

All Caesars are expected to be manufactured by the end of 2024. In particular, France has already financed the production of twelve howitzers by allocating €50 million. Ukraine has also joined in, paying for six more.

It is not yet known how much of the $336 million Danish aid package is earmarked for French systems, or the type of self-propelled mortars to be purchased.

The Danish Defense Ministry also mentioned that 155-mm artillery ammunition is to be purchased in cooperation with Estonia and the Czech Republic.

It probably refers to a project to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine from third countries, which was presented by the Czech President at the Munich Security Conference in mid-February.

According to the Czech President, the country’s representatives managed to find about 500,000 155-mm artillery shells and 300,000 122-mm shells abroad.

In other words, unlike artillery systems that are yet to be manufactured, the shells can be delivered in a short time once the relevant contracts are signed.