Denmark receives improved evaluation from NATO: Minister praises defense investments Denmark’s increased investments in defense have resulted in a more positive evaluation from NATO, according to Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen (V). The new NATO report assesses Denmark’s defense planning significantly better compared to 2022. “We have demonstrated a strong political will to meet NATO’s requirements and expectations, as well as made important decisions in the defense sector. I am very pleased that NATO acknowledges this and gives us an improved evaluation compared to last year,” says Troels Lund Poulsen. The report is not available to the public, as the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE) has assessed since 2022 that disclosure of the reports may reveal sensitive information about Denmark’s military capabilities. According to the Minister of Defense, NATO assesses that Denmark has “shown willingness” to more closely follow the alliance’s strength goals and continues to contribute “meaningfully” to NATO’s operations and missions. The minister highlights the ten-year defense agreement, which involves investments of approximately 190 billion Danish kroner, aimed at ensuring that Denmark reaches NATO’s goal of two percent of gross domestic product being allocated to defense. In addition, two partial agreements have been made on new capacities and commitments. Despite the positive evaluation, Troels Lund Poulsen points out that there are still critical areas where Denmark fails to meet the requirements. For example, the Army’s 1st brigade still lacks more tanks and infantry vehicles. This brigade is one of the Army’s largest land military capacities and must contribute to NATO’s collective defense. “NATO recommends that Denmark continues to prioritize the strength goals highly and make quick decisions about investments in future partial agreements,” says the Minister of Defense. Troels Lund Poulsen emphasizes that Denmark has a major task ahead of both building and expanding the Danish defense. NATO also points out that Denmark should expect more demanding strength goals in the future, especially in light of the alliance’s decisions to strengthen collective deterrence and defense based on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Overall, Denmark receives a less critical evaluation from NATO, but there is still work to be done, emphasizes Troels Lund Poulsen.

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