Denmark to assist Ukraine in acquiring long-range drones, missiles

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are set to receive domestically produced long-range drones, anti-tank missile systems, rockets, and artillery units by the end of 2024.

This development comes as part of Denmark’s commitment to support Ukraine’s defence industry, with a financial package amounting to 4.2 billion Danish kroner ($618 million), Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media.

According to reports a total of 1.3 billion Danish kroner ($191 million) will come from the Danish state budget, while the remaining 2.9 billion Danish kroner ($427 million) will come from profits accrued from frozen Russian assets managed by Denmark on behalf of the EU.

A series of relevant implementation agreements have been signed between Ukraine’s Ministry for Strategic Industries, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, and Denmark’s Ministry of Defence.

“Denmark has long been one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters, and we will continue to do so. However, if we are to sustain our support in the long term, it is crucial that we directly support Ukraine’s defence industry,” stated Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Poulsen stated that he was pleased to see that "the Danish model" is now in effect, "and that we are funding highly sought-after equipment in close cooperation with Ukraine, which can be delivered within a few months."

“As a result of these agreements, Ukrainian manufacturers of arms and equipment – both state-owned and private – will supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with self-propelled artillery units, strike drones, anti-tank weapons, and missile armaments by the end of 2024,” said Hlib Kanevskyi, director of the Defence Ministry's procurement department.

Notably, the EU has decided to allocate the revenue from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine. The funds will be channelled through the European Peace Facility and the Ukraine Facility to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities and support the country's recovery.

By Aghakazim Guliyev