Air defence and artillery: Denmark announces new military aid package to Ukraine worth €750 million

Ivanna Kostina, Yevhen Kizilov — Thursday, 16 May 2024, 17:43

The Danish government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday. It amounts to 5.6 billion danish krones (€750 million), of which almost half of the funds are directed for strengthening air defence.

Source: the Danish Ministry of Defence, European Pravda reports

Details: The new package includes additional funding for the future transfer of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, air defence, maintenance of artillery systems, and funds for the transfer of additional artillery systems, shells and anti-tank mines.

"Today we have informed the Foreign Policy Council of a new aid package for Ukraine. This, the 18th, package focuses on both air defence and artillery, which are essential for Ukraine.

In addition, we are also setting aside additional funds for direct investment in the Ukrainian defence industry, just as we are setting aside additional funds for the upcoming delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this summer," said Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

About 2.4 billion (€321.000) krones has been allocated to strengthen Ukraine's air defence. Additional funds are provided for the purchase of artillery pieces, grenades and anti-tank mines. Part of the funds will be used to maintain the equipment already provided, which is crucial for their long-term operation on the battlefield.

"We are meeting Ukraine's urgent need for air defence equipment, artillery and ammunition with today's transfer.

As part of this package, the government is also allocating additional funds to be invested directly in the Ukrainian defence industry. It makes sense to produce weapons where they are used and by those who use them. We hope that more countries will be inspired by this model," said Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

The defence minister noted that the situation in Ukraine is very serious and Ukraine needs sustainable support from its allies.

"With this package we are sending an unambiguous message to both Ukraine and the world. We are providing assistance now and are ready for large-scale and long-term investments in the Ukrainian defence industry. Their fight for freedom is our fight," he said.

Background:

  • In April, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen discussed with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk the idea of an iron dome to protect European cities from air attacks in case of war.
  • Recently, Frederiksen called on other European countries to follow Germany's example and supply Ukraine with more Patriot air defence systems.

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