Denmark is shifting its defense strategy. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced plans to buy long-range missiles and drones, calling it a “paradigm shift” after Russia’s latest strikes in Ukraine and drone incursions into NATO territory.
“There is no doubt that Russia will be a threat to Europe and Denmark for years to come,” Frederiksen told reporters.
The government has traditionally invested in defensive systems, but Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the new strategy would strengthen Denmark’s ability “to partly counter threats from the air, but also more actively combat threats far from Denmark.”
What will Denmark purchase?
Poulsen said the acquisition could include long-range missiles and drones capable of striking targets in enemy territory. He did not specify which systems Denmark would buy or how much they would cost, but emphasized that delivery speed would guide the decision.
The shift follows Denmark’s announcement last week of a record $9.2 billion purchase of European-made air defense systems, and after Russia struck Ukraine’s government headquarters in Kyiv and sent drones into NATO member Poland.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the drone incidents were not isolated, according to Bloomberg.
How much is Denmark spending on defense?
Denmark plans a major boost in defense spending through a new $7 billion fund. The goal is to raise spending to more than 3% of GDP for this year and next — an increase from 2.4% last year and well above the 2% NATO guideline.
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Denmark aims to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 as the U.S. calls for increased defense spending from European allies and the war in Ukraine continues.
Frederiksen called it the country’s highest defense spending level in over half a century.
Arctic backdrop
At the same time, Denmark is boosting its military presence in Greenland and the North Atlantic.
The ongoing Arctic Light 2025 exercise includes more than 550 troops from Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Norway. Training scenarios have featured live-fire drills, ship boardings and F-16 fighter flights.
Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen, head of Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, said Russia has built up its military in the Arctic for two decades and remains a “regional superpower.”
He pointed to continued cooperation with the U.S. military, noting Danish jets will train at the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland.
Earlier this year, Denmark agreed to a $2.3 billion package with Greenland and the Faroe Islands to improve sovereignty protections, including new Arctic naval vessels and long-range surveillance drones.
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