New donation package secures air defence and artillery for Ukraine
The new donation package for Ukraine will help finance additional contributions for the upcoming F-16 donation, various air defence assets, including the Patriot missiles, maintenance of artillery pieces and donation of additional artillery pieces, shells and anti-tank mines.
"We have today informed the Foreign Policy Council about a new donation package for Ukraine. In the package, which is the 18th in a row, the emphasis is placed on both air defence and artillery, which Ukraine badly needs. In addition, we are also reserving additional funds for direct investments in the Ukrainian defence industry, just as we are allocating additional funds for the upcoming F-16 donation to Ukraine, which is planned for this summer", says Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
Approximately 2.4 billion DKK are set aside to strengthen the Ukrainian air defence. In addition, there are additional funds for the purchase of artillery pieces, grenades and anti-tank mines. A portion of the funds goes to the maintenance of the donations, which is crucial for their long-term effect on the battlefield.
"With today's donation, we meet Ukraine's urgent need for more air defence, artillery and ammunition. As part of the package, the government is also setting aside additional funds to be invested directly in the Ukrainian defence industry. It makes sense to produce the weapons where they are used and by those who use them. It is also about future-proofing Ukraine's defence capability. Ukraine has the skills, but lacks the funding. Hopefully more countries can be inspired to follow this model", says Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
In addition, funds have been allocated to finance a number of NATO CAP projects. The government also plans to reserve additional funds for investments in the Ukrainian defence industry.
"The situation in Ukraine is very serious. There is no doubt that the Ukrainians need continued and massive support from allies. With this package, we are sending an unequivocal signal to both Ukraine and the outside world. We are delivering both donations now and we are ready to invest massively and long-term in the Ukrainian defence industry. Their fight for freedom is still our fight", says Troels Lund Poulsen.
