Denmark signs $600 million defense deal with Ukraine

In Kyiv, the Danish Defense Minister reaffirmed his readiness to continue purchasing Ukrainian-made weapons for the frontline.

The Danish Defense Ministry stated that Denmark and Ukraine continue to purchase weapons through the Ukrainian defense industry for a total of DKK 4.2 billion ($600 million).

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen is in Kyiv on Sunday to sign a defense protocol with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umierov and Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin.

The protocol refers to the intention to continue cooperation on specific acquisitions from Ukrainian defense companies totaling about DKK 4.2 billion.

“It is important that we continue to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom in every way possible. That is why I am very pleased that Denmark has now agreed with Ukraine on a common framework for how we can make the best use of the DKK 4.2 billion that the EU and Denmark are contributing,” Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated.

The acquisition will be funded by DKK 1.3 billion, which the government, with the support of the Danish Parliament, has allocated for this purpose.

DKK 2.9 billion will be taken from frozen Russian assets, which Denmark is to cash out on behalf of the EU.

“Denmark is leading the way by donating weapons directly from the Ukrainian defense industry. This strengthens the ability of Ukrainians to produce exactly the weapons that are in demand,” Troels Lund Poulsen said.

Earlier this year, Denmark completed a pilot project that financed 18 facilities.

As noted, the Defense Minister’s trip to Kyiv takes place prior to the Kyiv Defense Industry Forum.

In June, Defense Minister Rustem Umierov announced that Ukraine had signed a memorandum with Denmark on the purchase of weapons and military equipment from Ukrainian manufacturers; the parties were already “at the final stage,” and the first contract would be signed soon.

As previously reported, part of the proceeds from the frozen Russian assets were used to manufacture Ukrainian Bohdan artillery systems.