In a historic agreement, a broad political majority has decided to invest 95 billion kroner in the Danish defense. This step has been taken to meet NATO’s demands for upgrades, including the establishment of a heavy brigade and improved anti-submarine capacity. The decision comes after several years of criticism from NATO, which has pointed out that Denmark has not met the agreed upon force goals. Back in 2020, the then Minister of Defense Trine Bramsen (Socialdemokratiet) dismissed the criticism as “purely political”. Now, however, it seems that the government and other parties have taken a significant step to change this perception. “We have a commitment to ensure that Denmark stands strong in international security. This investment is a clear signal that we take our responsibility in NATO seriously,” says defense spokesperson Simon Kollerup (Socialdemokratiet). The investment includes, among other things, a massive upgrade of the army’s capacities. The plan is for 1st brigade to be developed into a fully combat-ready unit with 6000 soldiers, who can be deployed in international operations by 2028. For this purpose alone, 48 billion kroner have been allocated. Defense analyst Jens Wenzel Kristoffersen from Nordic Defence Analysis believes that this movement was necessary. “Denmark has been lagging behind in meeting NATO’s force goals. It is positive that proactive action is now being taken, although it also appears as a response to sustained pressure,” he says. This agreement marks a significant shift in Danish defense policy and shows a willingness to prioritize and finance the defense sector more significantly. This is a development that will be closely monitored both in Denmark and among the country’s allies.

Read the danish version here