Security & Defense

Denmark’s approach to national security and defence has undergone a significant and accelerating transformation in recent years, driven by the changed European security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and growing concerns about great-power competition in the Arctic. Denmark’s defence forces, the Forsvaret, consist of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Home Guard, and have historically been maintained at a relatively modest level consistent with Denmark’s post-Cold War assessment of the threat environment.

The invasion of Ukraine prompted a fundamental reassessment, and Denmark has committed to significant increases in defence spending toward and then beyond the NATO target of two percent of GDP, a major policy shift that commands broad political support across the Danish parliament. Denmark reintroduced military conscription for women in 2024, extending the existing male conscription obligation to female citizens in a landmark decision that reflects both the changed security environment and Denmark’s strong commitment to gender equality even in the context of military service.

Denmark’s abandonment of its EU defence opt-out through the 2022 referendum enabled fuller participation in European defence cooperation, which is increasingly seen as a complement to NATO rather than an alternative. Cyber security has become a critical dimension of Danish national security, with government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and the private sector all investing heavily in digital resilience following a series of high-profile cyberattacks on Danish institutions.

The strategic importance of Greenland and the Faroe Islands adds a significant Arctic dimension to Danish defence planning, with increased military presence and infrastructure investment in Greenland reflecting its growing geostrategic importance in a contested region.