After years of defense budget reductions, Denmark is now making a crucial investment in its national security by acquiring advanced long-range precision weapons. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced this strategic shift as a direct response to the ongoing threat Russia poses to Europe. She clarified, however, that while the overall European security landscape is concerning, there is no immediate risk of an attack on Denmark itself.
This significant procurement follows a substantial increase in Denmark’s military budget earlier this year, a necessary step taken to address critical deficiencies exposed by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Frederiksen unequivocally stated, ‘There is no doubt that Russia will remain a threat to Europe and Denmark for years to come.’ She reiterated that despite this long-term assessment, there’s no specific indication of an imminent attack on Danish territory.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen elaborated that the new arsenal could potentially include missiles and drones with the capability to strike targets deep within enemy territory. He refrained from disclosing the exact financial outlay for these new acquisitions or specifying the particular types of weapons under consideration.
This announcement comes on the heels of another major defense commitment made last week: the NATO member nation pledged 58 billion Danish crowns (approximately $9.20 billion) towards European-made air defense systems, marking its largest single arms purchase in history.
Poulsen underscored the strategic lessons learned from the ongoing conflict, explaining that the war in Ukraine vividly ‘shows the importance of having the ability to strike back or strike deep, as well as having an integrated layered air defense together with ground-based air defense.’ This comprehensive approach aims to ensure Denmark’s capacity for both defensive and retaliatory measures.