In a historic move, Denmark’s Ministry of Defense has announced a proposed investment of approximately 143 billion Danish krone (around 19 billion euros) in defense and security over the next decade. This substantial investment marks a significant effort towards Denmark meeting NATO’s goal of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense and security on a permanent basis from 2030 onward.
“We need to be better prepared for the serious and new threat landscape we are facing now and in the future. It is an ambitious proposal that the government is presenting today,” said Acting Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen.
This plan includes a flexible approach, with framework agreements that will allow capabilities and initiatives to be adapted to changes in the threat scenario and technological advancements.
“In terms of threats, things can change quickly. We see that clearly with the war in Ukraine. That’s why we want a new approach to the defense agreement, one that allows us to make ‘pit-stops’ along the way and make decisions that take into account developments in the security situation and technological development,” said Poulsen.
The Danish government has outlined three strategic objectives for this defense agreement:
1. The will and ability to assume shared responsibilities.
2. Benefit for society.
3. Establishing a solid foundation.
In addition, three geographic priority areas of action for Danish defense have been identified: the Danish Realm, the area close to the East, and interventions in global conflict hotspots.
Minister Poulsen emphasized that modern defense must be able to handle more than military threats, including cyber attacks and attacks on critical infrastructure, and the large investments should also benefit society at large, contributing to the Danish industry, research, and employment in Denmark.
In line with this vision, the Danish government plans to allocate an additional total of 21.9 billion Danish krone (about 3 billion euros) for military support to Ukraine through the Ukraine Fund.
Minister Poulsen concluded, “With a stronger Danish defense, the government will focus on three areas. We have a special commitment to the Danish Realm. It will continue to be our goal that the Arctic and North Atlantic remain low-tension areas. We must protect Denmark and fulfill our obligation to take on the common responsibility for security in the Baltic and the Eastern Sea. At the same time, Denmark will continue to strongly support Ukraine.”
Negotiations on the upcoming defense agreement will begin this week.
