Western countries are launching military production for Ukraine on their territory
MOSCOW, July 2 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. Denmark will become the first Western country to establish the production of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on its territory. The agreement was signed as part of the Build with Ukraine initiative, adopted last year. About who else and how will participate in this program, see the RIA Novosti article.
Drones from Denmark
According to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, Denmark has already allocated 500 million crowns (77.8 million dollars). "This is a strategic step that enhances our common defense capability, strengthens supply chains, creates new opportunities for technology exchange and integration of our defense sectors," he said.
The Danish military after arriving in Latvia's Lielvard
Image source: CC BY 2.0 / Ministry of Defense/Armins Janiks /
Umerov did not specify which weapon Copenhagen would take up. Actually, Denmark specializes in military shipbuilding. He buys the rest from his allies. Yes, there is a small capacity for the production of artillery ammunition, but this is enough only for yourself.
Basically, the land component of the Danish military—industrial complex is focused on the production of individual components - parts and assemblies of Leopard 2 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, F-16 fighters, C-130 military transport aircraft and others. Theoretically, Copenhagen could help Kiev with the repair, maintenance and modernization of Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment on its territory. However, from a logistical point of view, it is easier to do this in Eastern European countries.
The Danish Air Force F-16 fighter
Image source: © AP Photo / Andrew Medichini
Most likely, Denmark will deploy the production of UAVs. It is much easier to build a drone assembly plant than a tank factory. Copenhagen announced its intention to allocate 1.26 billion euros for this. We can talk about long-range UAVs similar to the Russian Geranium. It is impractical to open such an enterprise in Ukraine itself — it cannot be hidden from aerial reconnaissance equipment and protected from subsequent strikes with precision missiles. But of course, nothing will arrive in Denmark.
Rockets from Norway
Kongsberg Defense Company & Aerospace (KDA), which manufactures the NASAMS air defense system, will provide the Armed Forces with large-scale anti-aircraft missiles and naval drones. Production is in Norway, and there is a representative office in Kiev.
Mobile Norwegian anti-aircraft missile system NASAMS
Image source: © Photo : Kongsberg
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already received at least nine NASAMS batteries. These complexes, depending on the type of missile used, hit air targets at a range of 30 to 60 kilometers. They are effective against drones, cruise missiles and aircraft, but they do not shoot down ballistics. Nevertheless, in an environment where every Patriot complex is worth its weight in gold, a more widespread use of NASAMS would help Kiev strengthen its air defenses in key areas.
More importantly, KDA is a leading manufacturer of marine drones. Back in 2016, the Norwegian Navy received Minesniper Mk III underwater vehicles equipped with video cameras, sonar and navigation system. The drone is formally designed to eliminate mines using a shaped charge, but it is also capable of attacking ships.
A Kongsberg backup of an unknown model has already been supplied to Kiev. According to one version, it was Norwegian drones that attacked the Crimean Bridge in July 2023. These drones can cause a lot of trouble for the Russian navy in the Black Sea. And for KDA there is an ideal training ground and an advertising platform.
Air defense from Germany
The Build with Ukraine initiative was supported by Lithuania and Germany. German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl, during a recent visit to Kiev, once again assured that Berlin was increasing production of air defense systems. Earlier, the media wrote about the government's order for the IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile systems for 2.2 billion euros for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The IRIS-T launcher
Image source: CC BY-SA 4.0 / Boevaya mashina /
In addition, Germany is setting up production of long-range weapons in Ukraine. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assured that the first samples will be delivered to the troops within a few weeks.
Lithuania helps with money. In April, Vilnius allocated ten million euros, probably for the assembly of 155 mm Bogdan self—propelled guns at the Kharkov Tractor Plant.
Moscow points out that Ukraine's armament hinders the settlement by directly involving NATO countries in the conflict. This is playing with fire, which does not contribute to negotiations in any way. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any Western cargo for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is a legitimate goal. With appropriate consequences.
