Fast-tracking key investments in defence and security and full gender equality in conscription

Build-up of the Army’s 1st heavy Brigade, acquisition of land-based air defence systems and strengthening of the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. These are some of the initiatives financed by increasing the budget of the current Defence Agreement.  

"The security situation in Europe has worsened since we decided the Danish Defence Agreement last summer. Russia is preparing for a long-term war and could pose a potential threat to NATO Allies within a few years. It is vital that we react now, together with our Allies, in order to deter a resurgent Russia. Therefore, we must fast-track investments in key military capabilities,” says the Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen.

It is decided to increase the defence expenditure in the years 2024-2028 by DKK 35.2 billion (approx. 5.1 billion USD) through fiscal easing. Adding to earlier agreements, including military support to Ukraine, Danish Defence expenditures reaches about 2,4 percent in 2024 and the coming years and a minimum of 2 percent throughout the defence agreement 2024-2033.

A total of approx. DKK 95 billion (approx. 13,6 billion USD) in the years 2024-2033 will be used for investments in a range of areas in order to secure the build-up of military capabilities of the Danish Defence and a strengthened model for conscription.

It is decided to build-up the Danish Army's 1st heavy Brigade so that it can be deployed in its entirety within the NATO framework. This includes investments in tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Other investments include acquisition of land-based air defence systems to improve protection against enemy air threats and strengthening the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability.

“We also need to increase the number of military personnel. A new model for conscription will help achieve this goal. In the future, we will use conscripts to help staff our military units, for example including the Army’s 1st heavy Brigade. We will also introduce full equality of gender in the conscription model," says Troels Lund Poulsen.      

A strengthened model for conscription lengthens the conscription period to 11 months of which the first five months consist of basic military training and education. In the following six months, conscripts will conduct basic operational tasks in the Armed Forces combined with continuous training and education. There will be up to 7.500 conscripts yearly.

Moreover, it is decided to introduce full gender equality in conscription. This means that all young Danes declared fit for military service will be treated equally in regards to conscription – regardless of gender. This part of the agreement will be implemented after the next general election.