Denmark signs contracts to purchase $629 million worth of Ukrainian-made weapons for the Ukrainian troops
12 November, 2024 Signing of contracts for the purchase of Ukrainian weapons by Denmark. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Ukraine and Denmark signed a series of implementation agreements to purchase Ukrainian-made weapons for the Ukrainian military worth £629 million.
This was reported in a press release by the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine have signed a number of implementation agreements with the Ministry of Defense of Denmark. They clearly define the projects, as well as the terms of weapons financing and delivery.
The documents finalize the agreements set out in the Letter of Intent signed in late September in Kyiv. They provide for a series of purchases from Ukrainian defense companies totaling approximately £629 million. These funds will be used to purchase long-range drones, ATGM systems, missiles, and self-propelled artillery systems made in Ukraine by the end of 2024.
Ukrainian Bohdana self-propelled artillery system.
2024. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Denmark
The funding sources were the governments of Sweden and Denmark and interest on frozen Russian assets. In particular, Denmark has allocated £185 million, and £414 million is interest on frozen Russian assets managed by Denmark on behalf of the EU.
"Denmark has long been one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine, and we will continue to do so. However, if we want to support Ukraine in the long term, it is very important that we support the Ukrainian defense industry directly. So, I am pleased to see that the Danish model is now in place and that we are financing much-needed equipment in close cooperation with Ukraine that can be delivered within a few months.
At the same time, we are paving the way for more countries to contribute to the Ukrainian defense industry through the Danish model," Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated. "I am sincerely grateful to the Danish Government and the entire nation for their unwavering and consistent support. We appreciate that Denmark is setting an example in developing Ukraine's defense sector.
This will speed up the supply of necessary weapons to our military while strengthening the Ukrainian economy in the face of Russian aggression. It is extremely important for us to have such a reliable ally as Denmark," Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries Hanna Hvozdiar emphasized.
Purchases of Ukrainian-made weapons by partner countries
Purchases of Ukrainian-made weapons for the Ukrainian army by partner countries are carried out within the ZBROYARI initiative of the Ministry of Strategic Industries. It was established because the production capabilities of the Ukrainian defense industry far exceed the financial capabilities of the Ukrainian government.
Proposals to fund the production of Ukrainian products were first presented to the Danish government in late 2023. The agreements resulted in a £170 million Danish order for Ukrainian arms manufacturers. This includes 18 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers.
Denmark became the first country to finance the purchase of Ukrainian-made weapons.
The Netherlands, Canada, and Sweden later joined it.
And in October 2024, all the Nordic countries - Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland - confirmed their readiness to fund the purchase of weapons from Ukrainian manufacturers.