Ukraine and Denmark Sign Landmark Defense Deal to Begin Ukrainian Production on Danish Soil

In a groundbreaking step toward deeper defense integration, Ukraine and Denmark signed a historic agreement on July 4 that will allow Ukrainian defense manufacturers to establish production facilities in Denmark, marking the first time Ukrainian weapons systems will be produced on NATO territory.

The agreement was signed in The Hague by Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, under a new framework designed to support Ukraine’s wartime defense needs while embedding its technological innovations into Europe’s broader security architecture.

Denmark has committed 500 million Danish kroner (roughly €67 million) to help fund the relocation and launch of Ukrainian production in Denmark. This funding is part of Copenhagen’s larger Ukraine Fund, which has already financed the purchase of Ukrainian-made equipment, including the 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, and provided training and maintenance support.

This latest agreement builds on the “Build-with-Ukraine” initiative—an international program to develop Ukraine’s defense-industrial base not just within Ukraine’s borders, but in safe and allied countries across Europe. Hosting Ukrainian production on Danish territory is a strategic evolution of that effort, allowing for stable, uninterrupted manufacturing far from Russian missile attacks.

“The cooperation we’ve launched today is about more than delivering weapons,” said Poulsen. “It’s about helping Ukraine build capacity that will serve both their current fight and Europe’s future security.”

Umerov echoed that sentiment, calling the agreement “a new chapter” in bilateral defense relations.

“This is not charity—this is joint strength,” he said. “We bring experience from the battlefield. Denmark brings stability, infrastructure, and strategic vision.”

The agreement represents a significant shift in how Europe supports Ukraine, moving beyond short-term donations and toward long-term, joint industrial capacity. It also positions Denmark as a leading hub in NATO’s evolving defense production map, with Ukrainian companies expected to produce critical systems—from artillery shells to UAV components—under Danish regulation and alongside Danish industry.

Officials in Copenhagen have emphasized that the cooperation is mutually beneficial. Danish forces will gain access to Ukrainian-developed battlefield technologies—many of which have been tested under intense combat conditions—and Denmark’s own defense sector will benefit from the infusion of wartime innovation.

The deal also sends a clear political message. Signing the agreement on U.S. Independence Day, both countries underscored their commitment to shared democratic values and collective deterrence.

“Peace through strength is not just a phrase,” said Poulsen. “It’s the foundation of our cooperation.”

The exact timeline for production to begin has not been disclosed, but Danish ministries—including Defense, Foreign Affairs, Industry, and Business—will coordinate to fast-track implementation.

As Russia’s war against Ukraine grinds on into its fourth year, the agreement stands as a landmark example of strategic solidarity. It gives Ukraine new industrial resilience, offers Europe greater security capacity, and signals a shift toward a more integrated, durable model of defense cooperation.