Eight EU countries support Ukraine’s integration into the European defense industry
27 May, 2024 Ukrainian 2S22 Bohdana wheeled SPG on the Tatra T815 chassis, April 29, 2024. Photo credits: Oleksandr Kamyshin A group of eight EU countries advocates Ukraine's integration into the European defense industry.
Militarnyi reported on this. The Danish Ministry of Defense stated that this Danish initiative had been supported by Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Poland. On the initiative of Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, the defense ministers of these countries sent a joint letter to the European Commission, the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Defense Agency and other European countries regarding Ukraine's integration into the European defense industry.
In the letter, the ministers proposed four specific areas of EU cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry.
The Minister for Strategic Industries together with the Danish delegation, April 29, 2024. Photo credits: Oleksandr Kamyshin
"Together with seven other defense ministers, we plan to prepare an EU action plan for Ukraine's integration into the European defense industry as soon as possible. Among other things, it should ensure Ukraine's access to the EU defense industry and defense innovation programs.
A strengthened Ukrainian defense industry is important for Ukraine - and for our security of supplies in Europe," said Troels Lund Poulsen. The joint letter also emphasizes the need to build up equipment maintenance capacities in Ukraine through industrial partnership. "To make this happen, we need to create a good EU framework for building long-term and strategic industrial partnerships between Ukrainian and European companies," says Poulsen.
The Minister noted that Denmark had taken the first step and decided to invest directly in the Ukrainian defense industry. In April, the Danish government announced an additional military aid package for Ukraine. According to the report, the decision provides for the allocation of DKK 200 million for investments in the Ukrainian defense industry.
Danish MPs and government representatives were shown samples that can be purchased as part of military assistance to Ukraine.
Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM fighter of the Royal Danish Air Force.
Photo from open sources
In May, the Danish government announced a new military aid package that included air defense systems and funding for the transfer of F-16 fighter jets.