© Hilary Swift for The New York Times
© Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Starting 1 December, Denmark will begin producing solid rocket fuel for Ukraine’s new cruise missiles, Danmarks Radio reports.
Flamingo missile, which has been unleashed by Fire Point company in the end of August 2025, has a flight range exceeding 3,000 km and has a 1,150 kg warhead. Currently, Ukraine regards multibillion-dollar arms buildup program, funded by Europe as the best way to defend itself from Russia amid reduced American aid and uncertainty over Western security guarantees.
The Ukrainian company FPRT, a part of Fire Point, will establish a new plant near Skrydstrup Airbase, home to the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-35 fighters. This location will provide quick access to advanced military technologies and integration into national defense.
Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missile uses solid rocket fuel, which ignites instantly, provides stable combustion, and does not require fueling before launch, unlike liquid fuel.
The company has already received a Danish CVR number and launched a website with information about the project. FPRT plans to build modern production facilities in Vojens, while qualification and operational testing will take place at specialized sites outside the plant.
“Our activities are aimed at supporting programs that are vital for Denmark’s national defense,” the FPRT website states.
Denmark will invest approximately 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 bn) in Ukrainian defense companies this year under the so-called “Danish model,” European Pravda reported on 29 August.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced this figure while advocating for expanded implementation of the financing mechanism.
The Danish model involves allied nations funding weapons production needed by Ukraine through Ukrainian enterprises rather than purchasing from their own defense contractors. According to Poulsen, Denmark allocated 600 million euros ($702 mn) in such contracts last year.
“Ukrainian defense industry works very quickly compared to European companies. They can do this in months, not years. And secondly, it is financially efficient,” Poulsen said.
The minister expressed optimism about broader international adoption of this support format. “Today we heard a lot of words of support for doing more through the ‘Danish model,’ so I’m pleased to see that,” he added.
Poulsen emphasized Ukraine’s continued need for increased military assistance, describing it as an urgent requirement.
The Danish approach represents a shift from traditional military aid models. Instead of donating existing weapons or purchasing equipment from Western manufacturers, participating countries finance production contracts directly with Ukrainian defense firms.
Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov indicated in June that assistance to Ukraine under the Danish model would reach 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 bn) in 2025. Ukraine regularly calls on partners to increase investments in its defense industrial complex.
The model allows Ukraine to scale up domestic production capabilities while providing allies with a potentially more cost-effective means of supporting Ukrainian defense needs. Danish officials cite the speed of Ukrainian manufacturers as a significant advantage over European alternatives.
© Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix, via Reuters
© Henning Bagger/Ritzau Scanpix, via Reuters
Kyiv and Copenhagen signed a landmark agreement on July 4 that allows Ukrainian defense companies to open production facilities in Denmark, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin announced.
"This is a unique case of international cooperation for the Ukrainian defense industry," Smetanin wrote on Facebook, following the signing ceremony in Copenhagen alongside Danish Industry Minister Morten Bodskov.
The deal marks the first time Ukrainian defense technologies will be exported abroad specifically for supply to Ukraine's own Armed Forces, he said.
A year ago, Denmark became the first country to fund weapons production by Ukrainian manufacturers. Now, it has become the first to host Ukrainian arms production lines on its territory, Smetanin added.
"Today, it has become the first country to which Ukraine exports its own defense technologies for production, scaling, and supply to the Ukrainian army," he said.
The agreement is part of Ukraine's broader effort to internationalize its defense production. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 21 that Kyiv would soon begin exporting defense technologies and opening weapons production lines in partner countries.
To scale up domestic and international production, Zelensky has called on foreign partners to finance new projects and match Ukraine's rapidly growing manufacturing capacity.
Denmark has been a key backer of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In February 2024, Copenhagen signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement with Kyiv, pledging long-term defense cooperation until Ukraine secures NATO membership.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
Ukraine signed a major deal with U.S. company Swift Beat to co-produce hundreds of thousands of drones this year, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on July 3 during his visit to Denmark.
The long-term strategic partnership agreement was signed by Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Swift Beat, in Denmark on the same day.
Under the deal, the company will produce various kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles for Ukraine, including those designed to intercept Russian drones and missiles, reconnaissance, attack, and other drones, Zelensky said in a statement published on the website of the President's Office.
"The key priority is interceptor drones that have already proven effective in Ukraine," Zelensky said. "We've tested models from several companies, and now we're signing serious contracts."
Swift Beat will increase its production capacity, aiming to produce hundreds of thousands of drones for Ukraine this year, with plans to scale up production in 2026, according to Zelensky.
"Modern drones will be supplied to Ukraine as a priority, on special terms and at cost," Zelensky said.
The announcement comes just a day after the U.S. Defense Department (DOD) has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other weapons previously promised to Kyiv. Ukraine has been trying to negotiate buying U.S. weapons for months after U.S. President Donald Trump, who has opposed military aid to Kyiv, took office in January.
Swift Beat has a significant presence in Ukraine, according to Zelensky's office. It specializes in autonomous AI-powered drones and cooperates with Ukrainian engineers and the military, conducting drone testing on Ukrainian territory, the statement reads.
Zelensky arrived in Denmark on July 3 to mark the country's assumption of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Zelensky also said that during his visit, he plans to raise the issue of political blockages hindering Ukraine's path to joining the European Union.
"We're ready to open three accession clusters and want to start with one now, in the very near future. But political blockages remain, purely political," he said.
While EU member states agreed to take into account the European Commission's assessment that Ukraine is ready to open the first, Fundamentals cluster, the process remains stalled due to Hungary's refusal to grant unanimous support.
Ukraine applied for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate status shortly thereafter, but full negotiations require the approval of all 27 EU member states.
Denmark has been a key backer of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In February 2024, Copenhagen signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement with Kyiv, pledging long-term defense cooperation until Ukraine secures NATO membership.
Zelensky said he expects Denmark to expand its financial support for Ukraine's drone and missile production initiatives.
"What we've just signed requires significant funding. I'm counting on our relationship with Denmark," the president said.
The Ukrainian president will also participate in official events commemorating Denmark's presidency of the Council. According to Danish broadcaster DR, the events will be attended by Denmark's royal family, government officials, and EU leaders.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov signed a Letter of Intent on June 24 with his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen to launch Ukrainian defense production in Denmark, Umerov announced on Facebook.
The document envisages facilitating the deployment of Ukrainian defense companies in Denmark and integrating of the defense industries of both countries through the "Build with Ukraine" initiative.
Denmark has already allocated $47 million for the project, and Ukraine's partners will provide further funding for production.
"I thank the Danish government for its trust, steadfast support of Ukraine, and commitment to developing a deep partnership between our countries," Umerov said. "This partnership enhances the security of Ukraine, Denmark, and all of Europe — today and into the future."
The agreement between Ukraine and Denmark also provides coordination between the Danish Defense Ministry, the Business and Industry Ministry, and the Foreign Ministry to integrate Ukrainian enterprises into the European defense system.
"By providing Ukrainian defense companies the opportunity to start production in Denmark, we are creating a basis for close cooperation between defense companies in both countries. This will also provide the Danish Armed Forces with access to the latest technologies and the experience of Ukraine," Poulsen said.
Denmark has pioneered efforts to support Ukraine by investing in its defense industry, creating the so-called "Danish model" of purchasing arms for Kyiv from Ukrainian producers. Copenhagen has provided around $9.8 billion in military aid under its Ukraine Fund for the years 2023-2028.
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
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