The Danish Government proposes to fast-track key investments in defence and security

Increased funds to build-up the Army’s 1st 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 that the Danish Government proposes to finance 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.

”Russia continues its illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, all the while building up its military capacities. There is no doubt that Russia hopes to be able to dictate the borders of Europe with force. The best thing we can do to deter their aggressive behaviour, is to continue our military support to Ukraine and accelerate building a stronger defence in Europe. It sends an important signal to the Kremlin and to our Allies in NATO that Denmark takes on our part of the responsibility by making investments in the Danish Defence,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

The Danish Government proposes to increase the defence expenditure in the years 2024-2028 by DKK 40.5 billion (approx. 5.9 billion USD) through fiscal easing.

DKK 4.4 billion (approx. 0.7 billion USD) will be allocated for further military support to Ukraine in 2024.

The government will fast track investments in a range of areas that aim to secure the buildup of military capabilities of the Danish Defence and invest in a strengthened model for conscription that totals approx. DKK 79 billion (approx. 11.5 billion USD) in the years 2024-2033.

The Danish Government proposes to build-up the Danish Army's 1st Brigade so it can be deployed in its entirety within the NATO framework. This includes investments in tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Other proposed 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, including the Army’s 1st Brigade. We will also introduce full equality of genders in the conscription model. I look forward to negotiate these proposals with the political parties of parliament in the coming weeks," says Troels Lund Poulsen.

The Danish Defence is undergoing a massive build-up. More military personnel is essential for the Armed Forces’ ability to staff and deploy operational units. Given the current security situation, there is a need to reform the Danish conscription model, so that conscripts can support the Danish Defence to a greater extent.

The Danish Government proposes a new and strengthened model for conscription. The model 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 alongside combined with continuous training and education. The Danish Government proposes a model with approx. 5.000 conscripts yearly.

Moreover, the Danish Government proposes 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.