The current security situation is forcing Denmark to make massive investments in its defense capabilities. The Ministry of Defense has announced that it will allocate substantial funds for the development of additional drone defence and surveillance capabilities in the
Danish armed forces
including systems with artificial intelligence for decision support.
A total of around 2.1 billion Danish kroner (around 281 million euros) will be invested in the project.
The background to this is the increasing threat posed by drones, which can endanger critical infrastructure as well as densely populated areas and military facilities (
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). “The latest drone incidents have clearly shown how urgently we need to strengthen our defense capabilities. I am pleased that significant funds are now being made available to do just that,” emphasized Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. “These investments underline the fact that Denmark is consistently expanding its capabilities in dealing with hybrid threats.”
The Danish Chief of the General Staff Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard also emphasized the importance of the new technologies: “Drones have fundamentally changed warfare – we see this every day in Ukraine (
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). With a massive investment in drone defense systems, we are significantly increasing the protection of our units and facilities and ensuring that the armed forces are also equipped for conventional and hybrid threats in the future.”
At the same time, the modernization of army equipment is being accelerated. Instead of modernizing 44 existing infantry fighting vehicles, Hyldgaard has recommended procuring 44 new infantry fighting vehicles. These are to replace the 115 CVs already ordered from BAE Systems under the 2024-2033 already ordered from BAE Systems under the 2024-2033 defense agreement, 115 CV9035MkIIIC already ordered from BAE Systems.
“A new procurement is the right way to go – it noticeably strengthens the army and ensures uniform, technologically advanced systems,” explained the Chief of Staff. Minister Poulsen added: “New infantry fighting vehicles mean more combat power, more effective training and they contribute directly to the formation of the heavy brigade.”
The existing vehicles are to be gradually decommissioned and used as spare parts donors.
In addition, the Danish naval command will receive new simulation systems worth 280 million kroner (around 37 million euros) to further improve training and operational preparation at sea. In addition Denmark has also ordered 16 additional F-35 fighter jets bringing its F-35 fleet to a total of 43 aircraft.
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