Denmark wants to strengthen its naval forces as part of a comprehensive naval plan. The corresponding plans cover a wide range of topics from critical infrastructure and the marine environment to improved combat power. Preparations for decisions on the construction of new frigates will also be included.
In addition to a long-term plan for capability development, the naval plan will also cover short-term and urgent requirements. In the coming months, the urgent requirements will provide a solid basis for important decisions on the future expansion of the navy. For example, the Danish government proposes to immediately procure new equipment to monitor critical infrastructure under the sea and to launch a development program for drones and other unmanned units that will strengthen the navy both now and in the long term.
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“The naval battlefield is characterized by a more complex risk and threat picture than before, rapid technological development and a Russia that is increasingly willing to escalate its course towards the West. Therefore, with the Naval Plan, we are initiating several urgent procurements that address specific challenges and threats we face now and in the coming years,” says Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen about the Naval Plan.
In addition, 21 new ships are to be built for the Danish naval infantry and four new marine environmental vessels. However, these will also be able to be used militarily for water surveillance and mine laying. Torsten Schack Pedersen, Minister for Public Safety and Security, commented: “With the acquisition of four new ships for the marine environment and mine-laying, we will have a robust Danish capability for combating oil and chemical spills at sea. I think it is reasonable that the vessels can support naval tasks such as water monitoring, monitoring of critical underwater infrastructure and mine-laying, given the security situation.”
Future procurement of ships in Denmark
The development of the Danish fleet must also focus on speed and security of supply, with production taking place in Denmark. Here too, the naval plan is the next step – albeit the long-term part.
In view of the tense security situation, major investments in naval combat power and in defense and security in the Arctic and North Atlantic will be required in the coming years. To this end, the Danish government is initiating a planning process that will form a solid basis for possible procurements, such as the next generation of Danish frigates.
“In my opinion, it is reasonable that the ships can support naval tasks such as water surveillance, monitoring of critical underwater infrastructure and mine laying in view of the security situation.”
Minister Torsten Schack Pedersen
Troels Lund Poulsen said: “The navy’s current fleet of frigates still has a good ten years ahead of it. It is therefore in all respects due diligence that the government’s proposal for a new naval plan will now provide a sound basis for decisions on future acquisitions, including the next generation of Danish frigates.”
The results of the process are to be incorporated into a subsequent agreement. This agreement will decide which other ships are to be procured and how this is to be done. This is in addition to the acquisition of three new Arctic ships announced in January. will start.
Here for more news about the Danish armed forces.
