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Danish Military Support for Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, Ukraine was attacked by Russia. Since then, Denmark, in close cooperation with allies and partners, has taken significant responsibility in supporting Ukraine. Denmark has provided Ukraine with weapons, equipment, and military training.
Photo: Danish Defence.
The Ukraine Fund Ensures Long-Term Support
In March 2023, the Danish government and a broad majority in the Folketing (Parliament) established the Ukraine Fund to ensure continued Danish support for Ukraine.
Approximately DKK 64.8 billion has been allocated to the Ukraine Fund for military support, including weapons and training initiatives, through 2028.
In addition, the Ukraine Fund supports two other focus areas with separate funding:
- Civil support for urgent humanitarian efforts and long-term reconstruction.
- Business initiatives, where Danish companies assist in rebuilding the country.
Danish military support makes a difference
Danish and Western donations have made a difference, significantly contributing to Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
Denmark’s donation of long-range Harpoon coastal defence missile systems in spring 2022 helped secure Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea, enabling the UN grain deal. Denmark was also the first country to donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, strengthening Ukraine's air defence.
Through the so-called "Danish model," Denmark has taken a leading role in financing weapons and military equipment directly from the Ukrainian defence industry.
As of November 21, 2024, Denmark has committed approximately DKK 50 billion in military support for Ukraine under the Ukraine Fund, covering expenditures from 2023 to 2028.
Training and Education Activities
In addition to donations, Denmark contributes to training and education of Ukrainian soldiers. This includes bilateral initiatives, collaboration with other nations, and participation in the EU’s Military Assistance mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
Denmark is part of the UK-led Operation INTERFLEX, which provides Ukrainian soldiers with basic military skills. Other training activities include mine clearance, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) training, and training on donated equipment, such as Leopard 1 tanks and CAESAR artillery systems. Ukrainian F-16 personnel are also being trained in Denmark until the end of 2024.
Overview of Danish donations
- F-16 fighter jets
- 407 Stinger air defense missiles
- Contribution to multilateral procurement of air defense systems
- Air defense missiles
- Aircraft weapon components
- Surface-to-air missiles
- Anti-aircraft guns and thermal equipment
- Patriot air defense missiles
- Man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and associated missiles
- Two air defense systems and associated missiles
- Air defense missiles and man-portable air defence systems
- RHIB boats
- Harpoon coastal defense systems and missiles
- Maritime drones
- Various mine clearance equipment
- Mine clearance hoses
- Mine-protected vehicles, including mine rollers
- Mine clearance flails
- Mine plows
- Bomb disposal robots and vehicles for bomb robots
- Mine plows for tanks
- Man-portable mine clearance systems
- Over 140 Leopard 1 tanks, including spare parts, communication equipment, etc.
- 14 Leopard 2 tanks
- CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, including spare parts, ammunition, and maintenance agreements
- Over 25 T-72EA tanks
- Tank ammunition
- Marder infantry fighting vehicles
- 54 M113 armored personnel carriers with armaments
- Biber armored bridge-laying vehicles
- Wisent Armored recovery vehicles, hulls and armament
- Dachs Armored recovery vehicles
- Armored recovery vehicles
- Reactive armor for armored vehicles
- Over 80 BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles
- Weapon stations and grenade launchers for infantry fighting vehicles
- Artillery shells, including 122mm, 152mm, and 155mm ammunition
- Propellant charges, primers, and fuzes for artillery ammunition
- 122mm artillery rockets
- Heavy mortar systems
- Medium-heavy mortar systems
- Mortar shells
- M109 howitzers for spare parts
- 16 Zuzana-2 artillery systems
- 19 Caesar 8x8 artillery systems, including maintenance
- Caesar 6x6 artillery systems, including maintenance
- Contribution to joint EU ammunition procurement
- Bohdana artillery systems
- 2S1 artillery systems
- Drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, attack, and mine clearance
- Anti-drone systems and equipment
- Grenades for drones
- Toyota Land Cruisers
- Generators
- Firefighting modules and breaching tools
- Heating and release gloves
- Rescue equipment
- Lightweight protective suits
- First aid kits
- Sleeping bags and sleeping mats
- Chemical detectors
- Field camps
- Compress dressings
- AM radio transmitters
- Field rations
- Protective equipment
- Fuel
- Anti-tank mines
- Living containers
- Individual soldier equipment
- CBRN package (suits, detectors, decontamination powder)
- Field bridges
- Mobile workshop solutions, including trucks with hook lifts
- Winter gear and transport
- Heaters
- Mobile hospital
- Anti-tank weapons and associated missiles
- Hats and rainwear
- Ammunition for small arms
- Heavy machine guns
- Night vision goggles
- Military portable PCs
- Hangar tents
- Night observation binoculars, including thermal scopes
- International positions (EUMAM and IDCC)
- Pistols, rifles, and sniper rifles
- Light machine guns
- Rocket-propelled guns and grenades for them
- Grenade launchers
- Hand grenades
- Deception systems
- Medical supplies
- Evacuation equipment
- Contributions to procurement and donation of medical supplies
- Financial contribution to the donation of medical equipment
- Communication equipment
- Funding for weapons and equipment procurement through Ukraine's defense industry
- Support for the International Fund for Ukraine
- Financial aid for Ukraine’s air force
- Contributions to IT, maritime, and drone coalitions
- Support for NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package, including winter gear
- Procurement of non-lethal equipment via NATO Support & Procurement Agency
Although there is public interest in Denmark’s military support for Ukraine, not all donations can be disclosed. Decisions on which information can be shared are made carefully to avoid compromising security, operations, or the interests of allies and partners.
These considerations are made in close collaboration with Ukraine, the Danish Armed Forces, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service, other relevant ministries, and international partners.
Joint International Assistance to Ukraine
International military support for Ukraine is coordinated through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), the central political and military forum for international support. UDCG is led by the United States and includes over 50 countries, along with Ukraine’s defense minister, general staff, and intelligence services.
Within the UDCG framework, capability coalitions have been established under the leadership of various nations to strengthen military support for Ukraine. These coalitions focus on areas such as air forces, naval forces, artillery, IT, mine clearance, and drones.
The coalitions aim to foster a more comprehensive approach within each area, enabling long-term support options and co-financing. To boost the production of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine, the EU has also strengthened its defense and security policies.
Examples of Partnerships and Coalitions under the Ukraine Defense Contact Group
The UK-led International Fund for Ukraine involves collaboration between Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and others to procure weapons for Ukraine.
Denmark participates in the Artillery Coalition, led by France and the United States, with involvement from 19 countries and the EU. The coalition aims to strengthen Ukraine’s artillery capabilities, including platforms, ammunition, command and control systems, and training.
Denmark is part of the Maritime Coalition, led by the United Kingdom and Norway. This coalition works with Ukraine to develop its maritime capabilities through personnel training and education as well as the donation of equipment.
Since autumn 2023, Denmark has co-led the international Air Force Coalition with the Netherlands and the United States. The coalition's goal is to assist Ukraine in building a fully operational air force, initially focusing on developing a complete Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet capacity. This effort includes training, aircraft donations, and the establishment of necessary infrastructure and maintenance capabilities.
Denmark is a member of the Ground-Based Air Defense Coalition, led by Germany and France, with participation from 19 countries, the EU, and NATO. Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has received various air defense systems. The coalition aims to integrate these systems into a unified network to protect Ukraine from attacks while also supporting ongoing donations of air defense missiles and systems.
Denmark has joined the Drone Coalition, led by Latvia, the UK, and Ukraine. The coalition aims to deliver one million small attack drones (FPVs) to Ukraine. Denmark’s involvement primarily focuses on contributing to joint procurement projects to meet Ukraine’s significant needs. Denmark has so far provided financial support to the pooled fund for acquiring small attack drones.
Denmark participates in the Mine-Clearing Coalition, led by Iceland and Lithuania. The coalition supports the development of comprehensive demining capabilities within Ukraine’s defense forces through training, equipment donations, and financial support.
Denmark serves as an observer in the Armor Coalition, led by Poland. This coalition supports the establishment and training of Ukrainian armored units.
Denmark is a member of the IT Coalition, led by Estonia and Luxembourg, with participation from ten countries. This coalition strengthens Ukraine’s integrated cyber defense capabilities, primarily through financial contributions.
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Place
Ukraine -
Operation strength
NATO -
Period of time
Fra 2022 -
Current
Yes