Denmark launches historic investment in ground-based air and missile defense systems

12 September 2025 – The Danish Armed Forces are building a ground-based air defence system to protect the civilian population, military targets and critical infrastructure against threats from the air. With the establishment of the Air Defence Wing in March 2025, the Armed Forces created the framework for the investments now being made in air and missile defence systems.

“The current security policy situation means that ground-based air defence is an absolute top priority in the rebuilding of the Armed Forces. Experience from Ukraine shows that ground-based air defence plays a crucial role in protecting the civilian population, among others, against Russian air attacks. I am therefore very pleased that, together with the coalition, a decision has been made to make a significant investment in additional ground-based air defence systems. The Armed Forces can already look forward to the first part of the Armed Forces’ ground-based air defence system becoming operational this year, and I am pleased that the coalition is responding to security policy developments with a long-term perspective,” says Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

The procurement of ground-based air defence has been running on two tracks. In June 2025, a decision was made to urgently procure medium-range ground-based air defence systems that would deliver results as quickly as possible. Based on the military recommendation of the Chief of Defence, the coalition has now decided to procure a total of eight systems with long and medium range, respectively. The urgently procured medium-range systems will be part of this.

For the long-range system, the French-Italian SAMP/T will be procured, while for the medium-range systems, a choice will be made between one or more systems from the Norwegian NASAMS, the German IRIS-T and the French VL MICA. The systems have been selected based on an overall assessment of operational, economic and strategic considerations.

“The war in Ukraine clearly demonstrates the need for a modern ground-based air defence system to consist of several integrated systems that provide multiple layers of airspace protection. This is the concept for the ground-based air defence system that the Danish Armed Forces is investing in and building,” says Chief of Defence Michael Hyldgaard.

The total costs related to the procurement and operation of ground-based air and missile defence systems are estimated at DKK 58 billion during the agreement period. The acquisitions are subject to approval by the Finance Committee.

“The decision to go with more than one or two suppliers enables shorter delivery times. This means that we can achieve our goal of a comprehensive ground-based air defence capability as quickly as possible and thus best support the rapid build-up of Danish combat power,” says the head of FMI, Lieutenant General Per Pugholm Olsen.

A total of eight systems will be procured, each consisting of four units. A four-unit system can independently fire a guided missile at an identified air target (typically consisting of a radar, a control facility, one or more launch platforms and a number of missiles).

With this acquisition, ground-based air defence will be available throughout Denmark to protect, for example, the civilian population, cities, military objects and critical infrastructure.

The systems can also be combined to provide more robust and layered area defence of, for example, cities and larger population areas against the same types of threats.

The first ground-based air defence system is expected to be operational as early as 2025, and the number of systems will gradually increase thereafter.

“Denmark is not sufficiently protected against attacks from enemy drones or missiles. We cannot live with that uncertainty, and we are now changing that. With the decision to make the largest defence investment in Denmark’s history, we are now purchasing a very strong air defence system that can shoot down any enemy missiles from the ground before they hit us. The decision provides security in Denmark and at the same time strengthens Europe’s security and strategic autonomy,” says Simon Kollerup, defence spokesperson for the Social Democrats.

“When you follow the news flow from Ukraine’s struggle for freedom, it is almost a daily reminder that a well-functioning air defence system is absolutely crucial in today’s conflicts. That is why I am pleased that we in the coalition agree to invest heavily in ground-based air defence. Even though it is expensive, it is a necessary investment to protect Denmark,” says Peter Juel-Jensen, defence spokesperson for the Liberal Party.

“For far too many years, we have been without a proper air defence system, and this is an untenable situation. We in the Danish Democrats are pleased that we are now moving forward with the process of establishing a ground-based air defence system. It has been crucial for us to quickly meet NATO’s expectations and to establish an air defence system that can protect us from foreign powers,” says Lise Bech, defence spokesperson for the Danish Democrats.

“We in the Socialist People’s Party are pleased with and agree with the Danish Defence’s objective assessment, which is the best choice on all three important parameters, namely delivery speed, price and the development of the European defence industry,” says Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen, defence spokesperson for the Socialist People’s Party.

“The Liberal Alliance supports the military recommendations on the procurement of air defence systems. The shooting down of Russian drones over Poland clearly shows that a strong air defence is necessary for the safety of the Danish people. With this decision, Denmark will meet NATO’s future force goals, which is important to the Liberal Alliance, but it is also important to emphasise that we are continuing to investigate whether there are opportunities for temporary solutions to strengthen Denmark’s air defence here and now,” says Carsten Bach, defence spokesperson for the Liberal Alliance.

“The Moderates are very pleased with the choice of European air defence systems. We are strengthening European defence companies and at the same time we are getting the fastest delivery and thus the fastest possible strengthening of combat power,” says Peter Have, defence spokesperson for the Moderates.

“For us Conservatives, there are two crucial points when it comes to armament. Professionalism and speed. We must have what the Armed Forces need so that they can protect Denmark and NATO. And we must have it quickly. We get both with the agreement on ground-based air defence. And I am delighted that we will now be able to live up to NATO’s expectations of us,” says Joachim Hoffmann-Petersen, defence spokesperson for the Conservative People’s Party.

“The Danish People’s Party is pleased that with this agreement, we will be able to fully protect Denmark with short, medium and long-range air defence by 2032 at the latest,” says Alex Ahrendtsen, defence spokesperson for the Danish People’s Party.

“The Danish Social Liberal Party is pleased that we are making an important investment in establishing comprehensive air defence for Denmark. This is a necessary step if we are to have a solid defence in uncertain times. In the negotiations, we have emphasised the importance of the investment supporting the development of a stronger European defence industrial base to the greatest extent possible,” says Stinus Lindgreen, defence spokesperson for the Danish Social Liberal Party.

Source Danish Ministry of Defence

Photo by L. Peruzzi