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DENMARK AND UKRAINE

Denmark expects to send first F-16s to Ukraine in spring 2024

Denmark is likely to be able to deliver the first of the F-16 fighter aircraft pledged for donation to Ukraine in the spring of next year, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on Wednesday.

Published: 11 October 2023 14:42 CEST
Denmark expects to send first F-16s to Ukraine in spring 2024
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg make a statement at the start of Zelensky's visit to NATOs headquarters. Photo:Handout/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix

Poulsen commented on the progress of the agreement to donate the aircraft prior to a meeting at Nato headquarters in Brussels.

“It is our expectation that we will be able to donate the first contribution of fighter aircraft to Ukraine in March or April,” he said.

“But a lot of work is needed to ensure the Ukrainians are capable of handling them,” he said.

Ukraine’s military must be capable of both servicing the aircraft and protecting them from Russian attacks, he noted.

Denmark earlier said that of the 19 jets it will donate to Ukraine, six would be delivered by the end of this year, eight in 2024 and five in 2025.

Poulsen is scheduled to meet other countries involved in the donation in Brussels. The Netherlands has pledged to donate F-16s and train pilots along with Denmark.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also expected to attend.

READ ALSO: Danish PM Frederiksen addresses Ukraine’s parliament after F-16 pledge

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DENMARK AND UKRAINE

Denmark earmarks 2.3 billion kroner for artillery to Ukraine

Denmark's government has announced that the Nordic country will donate 2.3 billion kroner ($337 million) to pay for artillery pieces, mortars and ammunition for Ukraine as it fights off Russia's invasion.

Published: 13 March 2024 09:08 CET
Denmark earmarks 2.3 billion kroner for artillery to Ukraine

It said the donation will pay for French-made Caesar artillery systems, mortars and ammunition to go with them and will be financed through a fund set up for Ukraine, valued at 69.1 billion kroner.

“Artillery systems and mortars are highly sought after by Ukraine”, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement on Tuesday.

“These donations are being made in cooperation with our allies and are an important signal that on a broad front we are supporting Ukraine.”

The Caesars are financed in cooperation with France, while 155mm shells to go with them are funded jointly with Estonia and the Czech Republic, the government said.

It did not give specific details of the arrangements for channelling the funds and sending the arms to Ukraine.

Kyiv has appealed for more arms, warning that it is running out of ammunition as it tries to fight off Russia.

In January, France announced a coalition to supply Ukraine with more artillery, bringing together more than 50 countries, and provided funding to buy 12 additional pieces produced by France’s Nexter, while calling on its allies to fund more.

Denmark is the fourth largest donor of military aid to Ukraine, according to the German based Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

The country signed a 10-year security agreement with Kyiv at the end of February, following similar agreements signed by Berlin, London and Paris.

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