Denmark Urgently Invests Billions in New Ground-Based Air Defense

Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen, along with a united majority in the Danish Parliament’s defense agreement circle, has decided to carry out an urgent procurement of three short-range ground-based air defense systems.

The decision has been made in light of the current security and political situation and is aimed at ensuring the rapid establishment of an air defense capability to protect both the civilian population, military targets, and critical infrastructure.

The new systems are provided by European manufacturers Diehl Defence (Germany), MBDA France (France), and Kongsberg (Norway). The investment is financed through the Acceleration Fund and amounts to over six billion Danish kroner.

“The current security and political situation necessitates the urgent acquisition of capabilities for the Defense, with ground-based air defense being of utmost priority. I am very pleased that with the support of the agreement circle, I can take an important step towards re-establishing Denmark’s ground-based air defense,” said Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen, adding, “It is crucial that as a country, we respond to the security and political developments, and therefore it is also important that by 2026, we can look forward to the first part of the Defense’s ground-based air defense being operational.”

The procurement is part of a two-track process that focuses on both immediate effectiveness and a future permanent solution. The process was initiated earlier this year, and the Ministry of Defense’s Material and Purchasing Department has evaluated the market and received bids from suppliers in six different countries.

Chief of Defense Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard views the procurement as an important step: “Denmark’s reacquisition of modern ground-based air defense systems is a significant and crucial enhancement of our combat capability. The strengthened protection of our airspace, society, and military units is essential for us to carry out our missions.”

Per Pugholm Olsen, Chief of the Ministry of Defense’s Material and Purchasing Department, also highlights collaboration as a key factor in the rapid process: “The fact that just a few months after the political decision to pursue a two-track process regarding the procurement of ground-based air defense, a political decision has been made shows that our procurement process can be fast when needed.”

Denmark has chosen to work with European suppliers in the initial phase. According to the Minister of Defense, this provides “the best possible combined effect” and also contributes to the development of European defense industry.

A decision on the systems that will constitute the permanent solution is expected later in the year.

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