Navy Plan Strengthens Maritime Capabilities of Danish Armed Forces

The Danish Government and the Danish Democrats, the Socialist People’s Party, Liberal Alliance, the Conservative People’s Party, the Danish People’s Party and the Social Liberal Party have entered into an agreement under the Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033, which will strengthen the Danish Navy. 

“The threats we face at sea throughout the Kingdom of Denmark today are different and far more serious than just a few years ago. The threat of Russia in particular requires that we take action and this in a time of lightning-fast technological development. With the agreement on the Navy Plan, we are initiating a range of urgent acquisitions to ensure the Danish Defence at sea can counter these threats,” says Minister for Defence Troels Lund Poulsen. 

The parties to this agreement thus intend to improve maritime surveillance and enforcement of sovereignty at sea. The acquisitions, including four marine environment and mine-laying vessels, as well as 21 vessels for the Danish Home Guard, are expected to cost DKK 4 billion and will be financed with funds from the Acceleration Fund and the Danish Defence Agreement. 

“Building the combat power of the Danish Armed Forces, including our naval capacities, is vital. We are fulfilling this task – and fighting with what we have. And now the Danish Armed Forces will have more to fight with. The military expert recommendations of the Danish Armed Forces are clearly reflected in the fleet plan. Not least, the need for greater awareness of what is transpiring throughout the Kingdom of Denmark – both on and under the sea. The proposal also prioritises the increased use of unmanned systems, based in part on experiences gathered in Ukraine,” says Chief of Defence Michael W. Hyldgaard. 

Acquisition of additional capacities
The parties have also agreed on the need to invest in additional capabilities in the form of larger navy vessels of different types, which will significantly strengthen the naval combat power of the Danish Armed Forces. 

As the specifics of these acquisitions will be set out in a forthcoming partial agreement, a working initiative has now been launched to explore possibilities for cooperation with NATO-allies and Danish industry, e.g. on manufacturing. 

Acquisitions such as additional arctic vessels will be decided in a following partial agreement made in collaboration with the Government of The Faroe Islands and Greenland’s Naalakkersuisut. 

“The Royal Danish Navy’s current fleet of frigates has another 10 good years of operation in it yet. Therefore, we are exhibiting due care with this agreement on a new Navy Plan, which will provide an informed basis before we make a decision on acquiring Danish frigates. That decision will be wise to make after NATO’s capability targets have been finalized in June. Then we can then decide what we will acquire and how,” says Minister for Defence Troels Lund Poulsen. 

The initiatives include: 
· Capacity for strengthened surveillance of critical marine infrastructure in the form of a vessel, drones, and sonar systems to monitor and identify unauthorised underwater activity. 
· Four marine environment and mine-laying vessels for military tasks, such as surveillance above and under the sea surface, training personnel, and mine-laying, as well as environmental tasks, such as chemical and oil clean-ups. 
· Underwater drones and other autonomous units that enable the Royal Danish Navy to intensify surveillance above and under the sea surface. 
· Twenty-one new vessels for the Marine Home Guard, which will perform tasks in close cooperation with the Royal Danish Navy, including maritime surveillance, port security, rescue activities, marine environment tasks, and host nation support. 
· Decisions on capabilities in the form of larger navy vessels such as frigates will be decided in a following partial agreement.