Danish military support for Ukraine

On February 24 2022 Ukraine was invaded by Russia. Since day one, Denmark has been cooperating closely with allied and partner countries to be among the frontrunners when it comes to supporting Ukraine. This support has included weapons, equipment, materiel, as well as military training.

Træningsbidraget til støtte for Ukraine. Danmark / Ukraine mærke.

Photo: Danish Defence.

The Danish National Ukraine Fund (DNUF) ensures long-term support

In March 2023 the Danish Government, backed by a strong majority in the Danish Parliament, set up the DNUF in order to ensure continuous Danish support.

 

So far approx. 60.4 billion DKK has been allocated to the DNUF, earmarked for military support including weapons and training. This commitment is to last until the end of 2028.

 

The DNUF also allocates money to two other aspects:

 

  • Civilian support for urgent humanitarian efforts and long-term reconstruction.
  • Industrial and trade commitments, facilitating the assistance of Danish businesses helping reconstruction in Ukraine.

 

Danish military support makes a difference

Danish and western donations are making a difference and are influencing the Ukrainian fight to retain their freedom.

 

In spring 2022 Denmark donated long-range Harpoon coastal-defence missile systems to Ukraine. This is one example of a specific donation, in this case helping secure Ukraine access to the Black Sea, which in turn enabled the establishment of the UN grain deal.

 

As of Feb 1 2024 Denmark’s military support for Ukraine has been in excess of approx. 33.3 billion DKK.

 

Training activities

Besides supporting Ukraine with multiple donations, Denmark also contributes to the Ukrainian war effort by training Ukrainian soldiers. This is done both bilaterally, in cooperation with other nations, and as part of EUMAM (the EU’s training mission in support of Ukraine).

 

Denmark is part of the UK-led Operation Interflex, which trains Ukrainian soldiers in fundamental military skills. Other training activities include mine-clearing and NCO training, as well as training related to donated equipment, such as Leopard 1 tanks and Caesar artillery systems. And not least, Denmark has also commenced training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots and their ground personnel.

 

The Danish public is keen to know about the Danish military support to Ukraine. However, not all donations can be disclosed; the need for operational security and confidentiality vis-à-vis allied and partner countries must constantly be balanced with the wish to maintain openness and transparency. 

 

Such considerations receive input from the Danish Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Intelligence, and relevant departments as well as international partners.

 

Itemized Danish donations

  • 407 Stinger AD missiles, incl. 330 grip stocks and 810 batteries.
  • Multilateral contributions to procurement of AD systems
  • AD missiles
  • Aircraft weapons parts
  • Surface-to-air missiles
  • Anti-aircraft ammunition and thermal equipment
  • Harpoon coastal-defence systems and anti-ship missiles
  • Rigid-hull inflatable boats
  • Different types of demining equipment
  • Mine-clearing line charges
  • Mine protection vehicles incl. mine rollers
  • Demining vehicles with flails
  • Demining vehicles with plows
  • Robots for explosive ordnance disposal and vehicles
  • 10 mine plows for tanks
  • Over 100 pcs. Leopard 1-battle tanks incl. spare parts, communication equipment etc. (under delivery in collaboration with Germany and the Netherlands)
  • 14 Leopard 2-battle tanks (is being delivered in the 1. half year of 2024 in collaboration with the Netherlands)
  • CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, incl. spare parts, ammunition and maintenance (is being delivered in the coming year in collaboration with Sweden)
  • 25+ T-72EA tanks (in cooperation with the Czech Republic and the Netherlands)
  • Ammunition for main battle tanks
  • MARDER infantry fighting vehicles
  • 54 M113 armored personnel carriers, incl. armament
  • BIBER armored vehicle launched bridges
  • WISENT armored recovery vehicles
  • DACHS armored recovery vehicles
  • Armored recovery vehicles
  • Reactive armor for armored vehicles (in cooperation with the Czech Republic)
  • 80+ BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (in cooperation with the Czech Republic)
  • Weapons stations and grenade launchers for infantry fighting vehicles
  • Artillery shells, incl. 152 mm and 155 mm (being delivered)
  • Propellant charge, primer and fuzes for artillery ammunition
  • 122mm GRAD rockets artillery (being delivered)
  • Heavy mortar systems
  • Mortar grenades
  • Howitzer M109 as spare parts
  • Joint procurement of weapons with Poland
  • One-third financing of 16 ZUZANA-2 artillery system (manufactured and delivered continuously)
  • 19 CAESAR 8x8 artillery systems, incl. maintenance
  • Additional CAESAR artillery systems
  • Contributions to joint EU procurement of ammunition
  • Drones, incl. surveillance, reconnaissance, and demining
  • Antidrone systems and equipment
  • Grenades for drones
  • Toyota Landcruiser
  • Generators
  • Fire-extinguishing modules and rescue cutters
  • Heat-resistant and extrication gloves
  • Rescue equipment
  • Light protection suits
  • First-aid kits
  • Sleeping bags and mats
  • Chemical detection systems
  • Tent camp
  • Compress bandage field dressings
  • AM radio transmitters
  • Field rations
  • Protective equipment
  • Fuel
  • Anti-armor mines
  • Residential containers
  • Individual load carrying equipment and personal items
  • CBRN package (suits, detection meters, decontamination powder)
  • Field bridges
  • Mobile workshop solution, incl. trucks and hook lifts
  • Winter equipment and transport
  • Heaters
  • Mobile hospital
  • Light anti-tank weapons
  • Hats and raingear
  • Ammunition for handguns
  • Heavy machineguns
  • Night-vision goggles
  • Military portable PCs
  • Hangar tents
  • Night vision and thermal binoculars
  • Funding for staff officers at EUMAM and IDCC
  • Pistols, rifles, sniper rifles
  • Light machineguns
  • Recoilless rifles and ammunition
  • Grenade launchers
  • Hand grenades
  • Tactical decoys
  • Medical Equipment
  • Financial support for the International Fund for Ukraine
  • Financial support for the IT coalition
  • Financial support for NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package, incl. winter uniforms and equipment
  • Procurement of non-lethal materiel via NATO’s Support & Procurement Agency

International help for Ukraine

International cooperation on military support to Ukraine is centralized in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG); the political and military forum for international support to Ukraine. The UDCG is headed by the US and has representatives from over fifty countries, as well as the Ukrainian Defense Minister, the Ukrainian General Staff, and Ukrainian intelligence services.

 

The UDCG oversees a number of capability coalitions headed by different nations, set up to boost military support to Ukraine. There are coalitions on air assets, artillery, maritime security, IT, mine-clearing, and drones. The creation of coalitions is meant to ensure a comprehensive approach to the individual domains, and to facilitate long-term support and financing.

 

NATO has strengthened its collective defensive posture on the Eastern flank, among other things by an enhanced presence in the Baltic countries. The EU’s defence and security structures have focused on the regional defence industry and the supply of ammunition to Ukraine.

 

Partnerships and coalitions

The UK-led International Fund for Ukraine includes Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden. They cooperate on billions-worth of weapons procurement from the international defence industry to Ukraine.

Denmark is part of the artillery coalition, led by France and the US. Its members include 19 other countries and the EU. The artillery coalition is designed to boost Ukraine’s artillery capabilities and provide artillery platforms, ammunition, command and control facilities, and training.

Denmark has joined the maritime capability coalition. Led by Norway and the UK, this coalition cooperates with Ukraine on developing and modernizing its navy, through training and donations of maritime capabilities.

Since fall 2023 Denmark, the Netherlands, and the US have been heading the international air-force coalition. This coalition focuses on supporting Ukraine’s efforts to develop and configure a fully-fledged air-force. The initial efforts center on establishing a viable Ukrainian F-16 capacity. Besides training and donations, other priorities include the necessary infrastructure and maintenance.

Denmark is part of the coalition on ground-based air-defence capabilities, headed by Germany and France. The coalition involves 18 countries, the EU, and NATO. Since the 2022 invasion Ukraine has received a number of different air-defence systems. The coalition aims to integrate the different assets into one system designed to protect Ukraine from attacks. Furthermore the coalition aims to improve the resupply of air-defence ammunition types, and strengthen training on the individual systems.

Denmark has joined the international drone coalition. Headed by Latvia, this coalition will support Ukraine developing its own drones and will oversee the donation of drones.

Denmark is part of the 25-nation mine-clearing coalition, led by Lithuania. The coalition focuses on contributions to Ukrainian mine-clearing capabilities, incl. training, materiel, and financial support.

Denmark joined the international IT coalition, headed by Estonia and Luxembourg. This 10-nation coalition supports the development of a comprehensive Ukrainian cyber-defence structure, primarily through financial donations.  

  • Place

    Ukraine

  • Operation strength

    NATO

  • Period of time

    Fra 2022

  • Current

    Yes