The Danish Government has announced a massive defense spending initiative aimed at modernizing its armed forces. In a series of press conferences, officials detailed plans to inject substantial funds into military procurement, underscoring both the urgent need for updated equipment and the crucial role of Europe in addressing current geopolitical challenges.
Accelerated procurement in 2025-2026
At a press conference held at the Prime Minister’s Office (Statsministeriet), Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) revealed that an additional 50 billion DKK (approximately 6.7 billion EUR) will be allocated for defense purchases over the next two years. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, she declared:
“Buy, buy, buy. There is only one thing that counts now, and that is speed, because the reality is that we are behind. We need to set aside many of the procedures that probably were created in the best intentions, but which belong to another time.”
This swift action comes in response to the escalating threat posed by an aggressive Russia—a nation that has already demonstrated its willingness to reshape the regional balance, as seen with its 2014 takeover of the Ukrainian peninsula of Krim (Crimea) and its ongoing military maneuvers.
Long-term strategic investment through 2033
Beyond the immediate procurement, the Danish Government is set to invest a further 120 billion DKK (approximately 16.1 billion EUR) in defense up to 2033. This investment, which is part of a larger plan that totals nearly 200 billion DKK (approximately 26.8 billion EUR) over the same period, aims to ensure that Denmark not only meets but exceeds its current defense requirements.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen (V) stressed the transformative nature of this program during the press briefing at Christiansborg, stating:
“Buy that which right now can contribute to a stronger defense and thereby to a stronger deterrence. If we cannot get the best equipment, then buy the second best.”
He also acknowledged that in ramping up procurement, the risk of mistakes increases. “I would rather make mistakes and carry out the necessary rearmament than sit and wait,” he added, hinting at significant upcoming reforms—including the restructuring of the Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse (the Defense Materiel and Procurement Agency).
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has adjusted its fiscal outlook, increasing the financial room by 21.25 billion DKK (approximately 2.9 billion EUR) for 2030, ensuring that the necessary funds are available for this historic defense upgrade.
The crucial role of Europe
The dramatic increase in defense spending is set against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical instability. Marking three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Danish leaders have repeatedly cited the aggressive posture of Russia as a primary driver for the urgent modernization of their armed forces.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen did not shy away from critiquing past underinvestment in defense and security. She remarked:
“We are in any case where Europe must do its homework, and it is urgent.”
Her words resonate not only with Danish citizens but also with European partners, as the need for a unified and robust European defense strategy becomes ever more apparent. With rising defense expenditures pushing Denmark’s military spending to over three percent of its GDP, there is a clear signal that Europe must invest significantly more in its own security to counter emerging threats.
The path forward for Denmark’s defense
As Denmark embarks on this ambitious rearmament program, the dual objectives are clear: rapidly modernize the armed forces to deter potential aggression and set an example for Europe in the wake of escalating geopolitical tensions. By investing billions in both immediate and long-term defense procurement, Denmark is taking decisive steps to ensure its security—and by extension, the security of a continent that increasingly relies on collective strength in uncertain times.
