Equipment and industri

The Department conducts oversight on the acquisition of larger essential capacities for the Danish armed forces, the Danish Home Guard and the Danish Emergency Management, and on the sustainment of major capabilities, such as main battle tanks, ocean patrol vessels or the F-16 fighter aircraft.

The purpose of the oversight is to ensure that acquisition and sustainment of equipment are carried out on a financially sound and operational efficient way and in accordance with political agreements. Systematic reporting contributes to orientation of the parties in parliament behind the Political agreement on Defence, The Committee on Defence in Parliament and The Committee on Finance in Parliament.

A program management board can be established when large strategic acquisition programs are carried out – i.e new fighter aircraft. The Ministry of Defence chairs these program management boards with the participating members coming from the organizations involved in the acquisition program. The board is responsible for the strategic aspects of the acquisition program and the implementation of the new equipment.

Major financial acquisitions of military equipment must be approved by The Committee on Finance in Parliament. An Appropriations Act is used for this approval. The Ministry of Defence is responsible for adjusting the Appropriations Act to the overall policy on the area of equipment. Following that the Appropriations Act is sent to the relevant parties in the case, including the political parties behind the agreement on Defence and the Defence Armament Board for orientation.

The Defence Armament Board is formed by members from the Ministry, The Armed Forces, The Ministry of Business and Growth, The Trade Council, The Danish Defence and Security Industries Association, The Confederation of Danish Industry the Danish Metal Workers Union and CO-industri. Appropriations Acts on acquisition of military equipment have thus been coordinated widely across different groups of interest.

The international development within the area of military equipment is monitored among other means by participation in related symposia's, seminars and briefings. Furthermore the Ministry regularly participates in relevant major international exhibitions of military equipment.

National Defence Industrial Strategy of the Danish Government

In 2021 the Danish government launched a new National Defence Industrial Strategy in order to maintain and develop industrial competencies and capabilities within areas of significant importance for Denmark’s national security interests.

The security landscape has changed and new and complex threats has made it more unpredictable. The technology competition, control of supply chains and the rapid development of new and novel defence technologies give rise to new requirements for military capabilities and the defence industries’ ability to support national interests. The Government acknowledges Danish defence industry as one of several layers in the foundation for Danish security.

The strategy aims at strengthening the Danish defence industry by creating better framework conditions for industry and foster development within seven action areas:

1. Strengthened cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and industry
2. Internationalisation and access to foreign markets
3. Good framework conditions for the defence industry
4. Targeted industrial support and cooperation
5. Strong innovation and research cooperation
6. Strengthened social commitment and green focus in the defence industry
7. Modern technological focus

To support the implementation of the strategy The Government has created an advisory board for Danish defence industry comprised of national governmental authorities, relevant organisations and research institutions.

Read the National Defence Industrial Strategy of the Danish Government 

Action Plan - National Defence Industrial Strategy of the Danish Government