On 6 of October, the Danish Minister for Business Morten Bødskov and Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen visited Ukraine and, together with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, signed a new cooperation agreement paving the way for more Ukrainian defence industry companies to start production in Denmark.
Ukraine faces an urgent need to maintain its defence. There is a need for equipment to protect the Ukrainian population from the Russian attacks.
Denmark is taking the next major step to contribute to the defence of the Ukrainian people. Danish Minister for Business Morten Bødskov, Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen, and Ukraine's Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal have signed an agreement that paves the way for more Ukrainian defence industry companies to come to Denmark and start production.
The government has already announced that the Ukrainian company Fire Point will establish itself in Denmark. Specifically, the new agreement means that Danish and Ukrainian authorities will engage in close cooperation to select relevant Ukrainian companies that can be established in Denmark, and work together on the actual establishment of companies and production facilities in Denmark.
The agreement will contribute to job creation and technology development for the Danish defence industry, who can learn from their Ukrainian colleagues and, in this way, benefit Danish defence.
Minister for Business Morten Bødskov states: "We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. This is not just words – we act. With this agreement, we help Ukrainian companies get started in Denmark. Here they can produce what is needed to defend themselves against Russia. It makes a difference for Ukraine, for Denmark, and for all of Europe. We can learn from Ukraine and get even more new solutions for the Danish defence industry. This is our generation’s fight against tyranny. Denmark supports – and we lead the way."
Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen states: "The advantages of strengthening the integration of the Danish and Ukrainian defence industries are many. The most obvious is to help Ukrainians produce weapons for the frontline, safe from Russia’s massive airstrikes. At the same time, closer cooperation between our two countries’ defence industries will reinforce innovation in Denmark and strengthen Denmark’s own defence. We will see more Ukrainian companies move to Denmark, and hopefully, we can motivate other countries to do even more.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen states: “There is increased interest from companies in the Ukrainian defence industry to establish themselves in Denmark. We are working flat out to make that a reality. Partly because it can give Ukraine an advantage in its defence against Russia’s war of aggression, but also because we can learn a lot from Ukraine’s defence companies. That also applies to the drone sector, which is developing very rapidly.”
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal states: ”The signing of the Memorandum is a major step towards building a new security system in Europe and strengthening the capabilities of our nations’ defence industries. During the war, the jointly produced equipment will support Ukraine’s Defence Forces. In the long term, Ukrainian security solutions and expertise will also enhance the defence capabilities of our allies. I am grateful to our Danish colleagues for their continuous assistance and support.”
