Denmark Looks to Boost Munitions Manufacture
As the war in Ukraine continues Denmark is looking to bother regenerate its local production of munitions and also fund ammunition supplies to Ukraine.
On 11 October, the Danish government announced that it would be contributing DKK 150 million ($21 million) to a joint Nordic purchase together with Sweden and Norway via the Nordic defense cooperation, NORDEFCO. “I am happy that we, also in the Nordic circle, have been able to purchase ammunition together and contribute to the EU’s efforts – to the benefit of Ukraine’s freedom struggle,” Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said, “If we are to continue to be able to support Ukraine and replenish the Defence’s own stocks, it is crucial that we also strengthen our production and supply chains of critical munitions in the North.”
The goal of the joint purchases is that the countries can send a clear signal to industry about the need to increase production capacity by pooling resources and placing larger orders. The Nordic countries will also strengthen the joint Nordic production of artillery ammunition under the auspices of NORDEFCO. Denmark and NORDEFCO want their ammunition effort to be seen as an extension of the EU’s joint ammunition effort in support of Ukraine “With this initiative, we are also sending a clear signal that we stand behind Ukraine in the long run,” said Lund Poulsen. The ammunition donation is expected to be delivered to Ukraine during 2024 and will include 155mm artillery shells.
At the same time Denmark is looking to ramp up its own munitions production with an announcement on 7 October, that the Danish Ministry of Defense would be purchasing a site previously used to manufacture munitions in Elling in North Jutland. A statement explained that “pressure on the production lines and the war in Ukraine mean that the need for Danish production has become urgent.”
Denmark will acquire the site from a consortium Krudten Erhvervspark. It has previously been privately run by Expal after the Danish govermment sold off the site in 2008. Expal closed the factory in 2020 and since then the consortium had been exploring establishing a business park at the site. Lund Poulsen said “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has now lasted a year and a half, has put ammunition production in Europe under severe pressure. The critical situation has made clear the need for us to re-establish ammunition production in Denmark… Ammunition supply is of national security interest.” The site will be purchased for DKK 19.6 million ($2.8 million).