15. June 2023 08:08 – Updated 15 June 2023 08:54
Norway and Denmark cooperate to donate 9,000 artillery shells to Ukraine. In addition, Norway provides 7,000 complete grenades, which have already been sent.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence, Norway contributes the grenades themselves, while Denmark donates the associated fire tubes, gunpowder bags and primer cartridges.
– Ukraine has an extensive need for artillery ammunition. It is precarious, and it is urgent. We have therefore decided to join forces with Denmark for a new donation, so that Ukraine receives the ammunition as quickly as possible, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp).
The donation is made public on the same day that NATO’s defense ministers gather for a two-day meeting in Brussels.
– Enormous needs in Ukraine
Gram emphasizes that continued support for Ukraine is important.
– Ukraine is in a defensive battle, they are trying to win back territory. That is why we are now donating 16,000 artillery shells, 9,000 of these in collaboration with Denmark and 7,000 from our own stock, says Gram to TV 2.
Previously, Norway donated 20,000 artillery shells. Altogether, Norway has thus donated 27,000 artillery shells alone and 17,000 together with Denmark. But the weapons are quickly used up, especially now that the Ukrainian offensive is underway.
– Yes, the needs are enormous. That is why it is important that many countries come forward with what they can contribute and that is why we are taking a new donation, says Gram.
The artillery shells can be used in several types of artillery fire, including the M109 that Norway has donated in the past.
– Acceptable for national preparedness
Gram has not commented on what the donation will cost, but points out that Norway has adopted the Nansen program which contributes to military support for Ukraine. He says the ammunition will be recovered. The consequences for the national preparedness are assessed as acceptable.
Denmark’s acting defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen repeats the point made by his Norwegian colleague that Ukraine has a great and urgent need in the fight against Russia.
– Denmark, together with other EU and NATO countries, is in the process of coming up with a number of different measures. Together with Norway, we can now send more than 9,000 complete artillery shells within a short time, says Lund Poulsen.
In addition, Denmark alone will donate a further 1,500 complete artillery shells and 500 grenades.
2023-06-15 06:08:38
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