Denmark to send record $833 million to Kiev
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The Danish Defense Ministry detailed in a statement that the new package will provide Ukraine with "tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, tank ammunition, and anti-aircraft cannons."
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Ukrainian troops open fire in the Donbas on June 15, 2022. (AFP)
The Danish Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday that it will contribute 5.8 billion Danish Kroner ($833 million) to Kiev for weaponry and military equipment by the end of 2025, resulting in the largest package of Danish aid since the war began.
The Danish ministry detailed in a statement that the new package will provide Ukraine with "tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, tank ammunition, and anti-aircraft cannons."
It will be Denmark's 12th and largest contribution yet, according to the ministry. Kiev will get 4.3 billion kroner this year, with future payments of 1.4 billion and 52 million kroner due in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Read more: US announces new $600 million military aid package for Ukraine
Days ago, the first batch of Leopard 1 tanks, a donation from Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, arrived in Ukraine, with more on the way, as announced by Denmark's armed forces on Friday.
Tens of Leopards put out of service
The three countries had jointly pledged to provide 100 German-made Leopard tanks in the "coming months" back in February. According to the Danish armed forces, "The first 10 tanks have been sent to Ukraine. And more are on the way. A further 10 tanks have been delivered from the factory."
In addition to the tank delivery, Danish troops stationed in Germany are actively engaged in training Ukrainian forces on the operation and utilization of these vehicles. Army commander Gunner Arpe Nielsen expressed confidence in the positive impact of this assistance, stating, "I have no doubt that it will help them win the defense battle they are fighting right now."
Notably, Denmark's Leopard 1 A5 tanks were a part of its defense arsenal until 2005. In 1997, Denmark acquired 51 Leopard 2A4 tanks, resulting in the phasing out of the older Leopard 1 A5 models.
So far, The Leopard 2 tank has been successfully targeted and destroyed by Russian forces in several Ukrainian offensives. Since the start of Kiev's counteroffensive, tens of Leopard tanks were put out of service by Russian weapons, including suicide lancet drones, attack helicopters, mines, and artillery fire.
Ukraine received over $100 billion worth of aid
Earlier this month, Ukraine's Defense Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, revealed that Western allies have provided approximately $100 billion worth of military aid since the Ukraine war began in February 2022.
He emphasized that over $50 billion of these supplies came from the United States alone. Reznikov explained that the aid included weaponry, equipment, ammunition, and more.
Western support for Ukraine started with lighter arms and training but has expanded to include heavier weaponry, with Ukraine's request for fighter jets and training for them being approved recently.
