Denmark Splashes €8bn On European Air Defence In Wake Of Ukraine War

Denmark is going connected a defence spending spree, mounting speech astir €8 cardinal to bargain caller rocket systems from immoderate of Europe’s biggest arms makers.

It’s 1 of nan country’s largest subject investments successful decades – and it’s each astir 1 thing: making judge Danish skies enactment safe.

Why Denmark is turning backmost to aerial defence

Not truthful agelong ago, Denmark thought it could do without this benignant of kit. The Cold War was over, Russia felt for illustration little of a threat, and nan state retired its Hawk rocket system. But nan penetration of Ukraine has changed nan crippled completely.

“The warfare successful Ukraine has shown really captious modern air defence really is,” said Chief of Defence Michael Hyldgaard, adding that Denmark needs a strategy that tin protect astatine respective different levels.

The woody includes 8 systems successful total, divided betwixt long-range and medium-range. For nan heavy-duty shield, Copenhagen has chosen nan SAMP/T system, built jointly by France and Italy. For nan shorter-range protection, it will prime betwixt manufacturers successful Germany, Norway and France.

Why Europe, not America?

Perhaps nan astir striking portion of nan woody is that Denmark has turned to its European neighbours alternatively than nan US Patriot system. It’s not astir politics, officials insist – it’s astir speed.

“Delivery clip was nan decisive factor,” said Per Pugholm, caput of nan defence procurement agency, noting that nan Patriot simply couldn’t beryllium supplied accelerated enough. By contrast, Europe’s systems could beryllium connected nan crushed by nan extremity of this year.

The full cost? Around 58 cardinal Danish crowns, aliases €7.76 billion, including some acquisition and upkeep. That’s a immense fig for a state that, until recently, had been spending acold little connected its equipped forces.

A connection to Moscow – and to Europe

For Denmark’s government, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, this isn’t conscionable astir hardware. It’s a statement. A awesome to Russia that nan state is taking defence earnestly – and to Europe that Denmark is doubling down connected practice pinch its neighbours.

The first Danish batteries should beryllium operational wrong months, and much will travel successful nan coming years. For a state that erstwhile thought it could do without aerial defence, it’s a striking turnaround – and a reminder that Europe’s information scenery has changed beyond recognition.

Stay tuned pinch Euro Weekly News for much news from Denmark