Denmark to transfer all its artillery stock to Ukraine – PM
Denmark urged its allies to increase arms supplies to Ukraine and decided to donate all the artillery it had in stock to the fighting forces, says PM Mette Frederiksen.
European leaders often refer to problems with production when it comes to arms supplies. Frederiksen emphasized that Europe has weapons and needs to give them to Ukraine.
"But Ukraine is asking us for ammunition and artillery now. We, Denmark, have decided to give Ukraine all our artillery. So, sorry, friends, Europe has military equipment, it's not just a matter of production.
We have weapons, ammunition, air defense systems that we are not using yet. They should be transferred to Ukraine."
Frederiksen added that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe and the United States quickly invented a vaccine and produced it in the right quantities. In her opinion, this can be done with weapons.
She supported Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO, and the bloc should give Ukraine a clear signal that it will join its ranks.
The Nordic countries are also seeking to join agreements on security commitments to Ukraine as soon as possible.
On August 20, the Netherlands and Denmark reached an agreement to hand over F-16 aircraft to Ukraine after training Ukrainian pilots.
Denmark will provide 19 aircraft. In the spring of 2024, it expects to deliver the first F-16 fighters to Ukraine, but this will depend on the training of pilots and technicians and the readiness of the infrastructure.
In January, Norway sent two F-16s to Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots.
In the coming months, Denmark and Czechia will transfer infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, heavy weapons straight to Ukrainian forces.
Denmark has also contributed $14 million to the joint European purchase of 155 mm artillery ammunition for Ukraine.