Small arsenals, high costs, and production backlogs have been a hindrance as Europe arms Ukraine.
Denmark found a way to get Ukraine weapons that bypassed these issues.
It funds the weapons manufacturing in Ukraine so they reach soldiers faster and for a lower cost.
A NATO ally figured out a method to get weapons to Ukraine quicker and cheaper and without drawing from Europe's already-low stockpiles.
Its approach may become a lot more important as the US hits the brakes on Ukraine aid, putting the burden squarely on the shoulders of the war-torn country's European partners.
Denmark announced a new plan last year to spend aid money on making weapons in Ukraine. The plan, now referred to as the "Danish model," is aimed at helping Ukraine fight back against Russia's invasion.
The project, which means weapons come from Ukraine itself instead of European stockpiles and manufacturers, is designed to work around key problems for Europe in the provision of weaponry: slowly producing expensive equipment and not having enough in their own arsenals to spare.
In 2024, the model finalized procurements for weaponry, including artillery systems and missiles, worth more than $550 million, according to Denmark's defense ministry, with funding coming from other sources including Sweden, Iceland, and accrued interest on frozen Russian assets.
Denmark found a way to get Ukraine weapons that bypassed these issues.
It funds the weapons manufacturing in Ukraine so they reach soldiers faster and for a lower cost.
A NATO ally figured out a method to get weapons to Ukraine quicker and cheaper and without drawing from Europe's already-low stockpiles.
Its approach may become a lot more important as the US hits the brakes on Ukraine aid, putting the burden squarely on the shoulders of the war-torn country's European partners.
Denmark announced a new plan last year to spend aid money on making weapons in Ukraine. The plan, now referred to as the "Danish model," is aimed at helping Ukraine fight back against Russia's invasion.
The project, which means weapons come from Ukraine itself instead of European stockpiles and manufacturers, is designed to work around key problems for Europe in the provision of weaponry: slowly producing expensive equipment and not having enough in their own arsenals to spare.
In 2024, the model finalized procurements for weaponry, including artillery systems and missiles, worth more than $550 million, according to Denmark's defense ministry, with funding coming from other sources including Sweden, Iceland, and accrued interest on frozen Russian assets.
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