According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, on August 24, 2025, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal hosted Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and members of the Danish Parliament in Kyiv. The high-level talks focused on expanding bilateral defense cooperation and launching a major industrial initiative under the “Build with Ukraine” program, allowing Ukrainian weapons systems to be co-produced in Denmark to accelerate frontline deliveries.
The co-production will include 155 mm Bohdana howitzers, frontline and long-range drones, loitering munitions, and electronic warfare systems. Shmyhal described the initiative as the “Danish model,” where international partners invest directly in Ukrainian-made weapons rather than providing donations from national stockpiles. Since its first implementation in 2023, this model has proven effective in rapidly enhancing Ukraine’s defense manufacturing capacity.
While official production line details are still pending, candidate systems include the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, reconnaissance and attack drones, and electronic warfare equipment. By producing these systems in Denmark, both countries aim to streamline logistics, bolster resilience against Russian missile threats, and strengthen the industrial partnership between Kyiv and Copenhagen.
The initiative traces back to June 24, 2025, when a Letter of Intent was signed establishing Ukrainian defense production facilities in Denmark with an initial budget of 500 million Danish kroner. By July, the agreement was expanded to include tactical, interceptor, and long-range attack drones. This approach supports Ukraine’s broader strategy to develop a resilient, distributed defense-industrial ecosystem.
Early results are already evident. Bohdana production increased from six units per month in 2023 to over twenty units by mid-2025. By August 2025, more than $550 million had been invested in Ukraine’s defense sector under this model, with projections exceeding $1.7 billion by year-end.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, the initiative signifies a strategic shift toward allied industrial co-production, ensuring uninterrupted weapons supply chains and reinforcing Europe’s collective defense posture. For Ukraine, rapid equipment availability could be decisive on the battlefield, while Denmark and NATO partners view the model as a forward-looking investment in European security.
