The governments of Sweden and Denmark confirmed they will move forward with a joint donation of Tridon Mk2 air-defense systems to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, with the aim of strengthening air defenses against Russian drone attacks. The announcement is part of broader European efforts to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities to protect its airspace and critical infrastructure—one of the targets of Russia’s strikes. The initiative will provide Ukraine with enough equipment to outfit a unit equivalent to an air-defense battalion.
Denmark’s contribution to the donation is valued at 300 million Danish kroner and will be financed through Donation Package 29, presented in December. According to officials, the agreement covers not only the air-defense systems themselves, but also the supply of ammunition and spare parts required to operate the Swedish-origin Tridon Mk2 systems produced by BAE Systems.
Denmark’s Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, stated that “with the donation, Denmark is helping strengthen Ukraine’s air-defense capability in the middle of a winter in which Russian air attacks against civilian infrastructure are affecting the country’s energy supply.” In that regard, he added that “continued and massive military support to Ukraine is crucial to give it the capabilities needed to endure and continue its fight for freedom.”
From Sweden, Minister of Defence Pål Jonsson highlighted the relevance of the joint initiative and said that “the fact that Sweden and, as of today, Denmark are donating Tridon to Ukraine is significant.” He explained that a joint acquisition intended to support Ukraine not only helps strengthen its battlefield capabilities, but also improves Swedish, Nordic, and European security of supply.
The Tridon Mk2 system was officially presented in 2024 at the Eurosatory International Defence and Security Exhibition in Paris, as part of BAE Systems’ response to growing demand for air-defense capabilities among European armed forces. The company emphasized that it is a high-precision mobile air-defense system designed to fill existing gaps and increase the availability of air-defense assets across different operational scenarios.
BAE Systems stated that the Tridon Mk2 “is a high-precision mobile air-defense system, equipped with critical munitions capabilities, including the programmable Bofors 3P ammunition, which forms the backbone of the system.” The company also indicated that the system has an effective range of up to 12 kilometers, depending on the target type, the selected ammunition, the sensor suite, and the terrain—giving it high operational flexibility.
Ahead of its presentation at Eurosatory 2024, BAE Systems Bofors President Lena Gillström said that “the Tridon Mk2 is the ideal solution for combat operations, where soldiers need a proven, high-precision and reliable air-defense system to keep the sky clear and protect both troops and infrastructure.” These characteristics position it as a relevant option for armies looking to complement higher-cost missile-based systems.
The Tridon Mk2 is a 40 mm air-defense artillery system, self-propelled and remotely operated, designed to counter a wide range of aerial and ground threats. It can be employed against drones, cruise missiles, aircraft, and armored vehicles, and is conceived to operate as a rapid-response air-denial system. Its modular design facilitates deployment, maintenance, and adaptation to new technologies.
With this joint donation, Sweden and Denmark aim to tangibly reinforce Ukraine’s air-defense capacity at a time when the intensive use of drones and air attacks has become a central feature of the conflict. The induction of Tridon Mk2 systems will expand protection for military forces and civilian infrastructure, strengthening Ukraine’s defensive posture against a broad range of aerial threats.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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