Denmark increases military aid fund to Ukraine for the next 5 years

Denmark’s government is increasing its military aid to Ukraine to more than $3 billion in 2023-2028.

The Ministry of Defense of the country announced this on Monday, June 19.

Funds for defense assistance will be allocated within the framework of the Ukrainian Fund of Denmark.

This regards DKK 21.9 billion ($3.2 billion) for the period between 2023 and 2028. Most of the aid will come in 2023-24.

“I am proud that Denmark continues to make a significant contribution. Ukraine remains deeply dependent on military support. As the country continues to defend itself against Russian aggression and regain control of lost territory in the coming years, we must continue to support it,” Troels Lund Poulsen, Acting Minister of Defense of Denmark, said.

The funds for the Ukrainian Fund of Denmark will be distributed as follows: DKK 7.5 billion will be allocated in 2023, DKK 10.4 billion in 2024, and DKK 1 billion annually in 2025-2028.

Denmark’s military support consists of direct supplies of weapons, military equipment, emergency equipment, and training to Ukraine.

The plan also includes the purchase and transfer of weapons and equipment from Danish and foreign defense enterprises.

In March 2023, the Danish government created a fund to support Ukraine with an initial contribution of DKK 7 billion ($1 billion) for military, civil, and business assistance to Ukraine. The bulk of the funds were used for military assistance.

At the end of May, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that Copenhagen would increase spending on aid to Kyiv by 17.9 billion kroner ($2.59 billion) this year and next year under the fund. These funds should be earmarked for military aid.

Denmark is part of the so-called “tank coalition” – an association of countries that help strengthen the Ukrainian Defense Forces with Western tanks. In particular, Denmark, along with Germany and the Netherlands, will transfer about a hundred Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.

Denmark, together with the Netherlands, heads the European coalition to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.