Denmark's government plans to allocate an additional 3.8 billion Danish kroner (approximately $600 million) to its Ukraine Fund in 2026, the Ministry of Defense announced on 22 February, as part of the government's broader economic plan.
The new funding adds to 9.6 billion kroner ($1.5 billion) already earmarked for the Ukraine Fund this year, plus an expected 0.6 billion kroner ($95 million) from F-16 fighter jet sales. The combined 14 billion kroner ($2.2 billion) for 2026 brings Denmark's total military aid commitments to Ukraine to over 70 billion kroner ($11.1 billion) for the 2022–2028 period, according to the ministry statement.
"Supporting Ukraine's defense struggle also contributes to the defense of Europe and Denmark. Ukraine's fight is also about our security. Europe must not forget about the Ukrainians' fight, and that is why it is important to me that the government plans to allocate an additional more than 3.8 billion kroner to Ukraine this year. I am proud that Denmark is a leader in this area," Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
The allocation raises Denmark's defense and security spending to 3.5% of GDP in 2026 — what the ministry described as the highest level in decades. This already meets NATO's benchmark requiring members to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on core military needs by 2035, as part of the alliance's broader target of 5% of GDP on defense and security.
"Denmark has armed up significantly and quickly, and I am pleased that the government has already allocated 3.5% of GDP to defense and security this year. This is the highest level in decades and is in line with the massive development that the Defense has undergone in recent years," Poulsen said.
The ministry noted that work is also underway on a larger joint EU loan package to support Ukraine going forward.
Since 2022, Denmark's military aid has included F-16 fighter jets, air defense missiles, tanks, artillery, and drones. The revenue from F-16 sales to Argentina was redirected to military support for Ukraine in 2025, with proceeds from further sales in 2026 and beyond expected to follow the same path.
The Ukraine Fund was established in March 2023 by the government and a broad parliamentary majority to ensure continued Danish support for Ukraine. In 2024, Denmark became the first country to carry out direct military donations produced by Ukraine's own defense industry via the Ukrainian state — an approach known as the "Danish model." The EU and a number of allied countries have since contributed over 17 billion kroner ($2.7 billion) through this channel over the past two years, the ministry said.
The announcement follows a joint Danish-Swedish air defense purchase for Ukraine. On 3 February, Reuters reported that the two countries would jointly procure air defense systems worth 2.6 billion Swedish kroner ($290 million). Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said Sweden would fund 2.1 billion Swedish kroner ($235 million) for the purchase of Tridon systems developed by BAE Systems Bofors, while Denmark would contribute approximately 500 million kroner ($79 million).
On 6 February, Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said he discussed strengthening air defense cooperation and defense industry development with Poulsen.
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