The Danish Ministry of Defence has announced plans to procure short-range air defence systems from MBDA of France, Diehl Defence of Germany, and Norway’s Kongsberg Gruppen.
The procurement, valued at more than DKr6bn (approximately $919m), is being funded through Denmark’s Acceleration Fund. The first batch of these artillery systems is predicted for delivery by 2026.
Denmark is prioritising the rapid establishment of a ground-based air defence network capable of protecting civilians, military assets, and vital infrastructure from aerial threats.
Following the recommendation from the chief of defence, an expedited deployment of these systems will commence, using the Acceleration Fund to ensure operational capability by 2026 or earlier.
This interim solution will be in place until a permanent air defence arrangement is established. A consensus has been reached among a joint conciliation group in support of this approach.
Denmark Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said: “The current security policy situation means that we need to urgently acquire capabilities for the Danish Armed Forces, and here ground-based air defence is an absolute top priority. I am very pleased that, with the support of the conciliation circle, I can take an important step towards Denmark re-establishing a ground-based air defence. It is crucial that we as a country respond to security policy developments, and therefore it is also important that we can already look forward to the first part of the Danish Armed Forces’ ground-based air defence being put into operational use in 2026.”
After evaluating a total of ten proposals from companies based in Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Turkey, and Israel, Denmark decided to advance with acquisitions and lease agreements involving German and French technology as well as a Norwegian system.
Later in 2025, decisions regarding the components of the long-term air defence strategy are expected to be finalised.
Defence chief Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard said: “Denmark’s acquisition of modern ground-based air defence systems is a significant and decisive boost to our combat power. The strengthened protection of our airspace, society and military units is absolutely central to our ability to complete our tasks.”
In January 2025, Denmark unveiled plans to allocate around DKr14bn ($1.96bn) for the enhancement of its military capabilities in the Arctic and North Atlantic territories.
