The Danish model for direct investments in Ukraine’s defense industry has already proven to be effective, but it can also open up new opportunities for Ukraine in the future.
The relevant statement was made by Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen in an interview with Ukrinform.
“Now, we’re using what we call the Danish model for defense procurement and defense iterations, so we finance the acquisition of defense equipment directly from Ukrainian producers. And this has turned out to be a very, very efficient way of supporting Ukraine. It’s much faster because your producers have a lot of spare capacity they can scale up if the money is there, and this is what we’re doing,” Mikkelsen explained.
In his words, it’s not only Danish money that is coming through the Danish model. Now, Denmark has also been entrusted by the European Union to spend some of the money from the windfall profits off the seized Russian assets that goes into the Danish model. Meanwhile, Swedish, Norwegian, Canadian and Irish partners also decided to use this model, and it’s good for the Ukrainian economy, because that creates jobs and economic activity.
As noted by the Danish envoy, another big advantage of the Danish model is a close contact between manufacturers and the military on the front, namely in the field of drones, “where there’s constant contact, development, and adaptation of the weapon systems.”
“I think also in the long run this will be a competitive advantage for Ukraine, after the victory, that you will have a well developed, highly advanced arms industry that can also supply other countries, including Denmark. Maybe we can buy from you once that is possible,” the diplomat emphasized.
Separately, Mikkelsen mentioned that, in his opinion, it’s a bit unfair to call this a Danish model, “because it’s the Ukrainian one, because it’s about using Ukraine’s incredibly strong defense sector.”
A reminder that Denmark will become the first country to launch joint defense production with Ukraine.
On June 24, 2025, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen signed a Letter of Intent as part of the Build with Ukraine initiative, providing for the export of Ukrainian military technologies and establishment of production facilities abroad.
As noted by Umerov, Denmark had already allocated DKK 500 million to launch Ukraine’s defense production on its territory. All facilities established under this project will serve to strengthen Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Source: Danish model of defense industry support can become Ukraine’s competitive advantage – ambassador
