Denmark’s Ministry of Defence has cleared radar maker Weibel Scientific to continue and expand its test site in Hørsholm, even though it was previously established that the company operated there without the required permits.
According to reporting by DR, the ministry has given the company green light to carry on and build out the facility, including with a security fence. The decision follows an earlier conclusion that Weibel Scientific had acted against the law at the site because it lacked a series of permits.
The legal basis is the rammeanlægsloven, adopted in 2025 under the SVM government. The law gives the defense sector wide powers to make fast decisions on expanding facilities when they serve significant national defense purposes.
Sten Bønsing, professor of administrative law at Aalborg University, described the ministry’s decision to DR as very unusual. He said the law allows the defense minister to override practically any other legislation by playing a trump card.
Per Bønsing, no comparable instrument has existed in Danish law before, as far as he is aware. He added that using such means is highly unusual, and that the new law is written precisely to give the ministry these powers.
Neighbors and the road ahead
Residents living next to the site in Hørsholm have been frustrated for years by the company’s expansions, in part because of noise. The case has been running alongside wider scrutiny of testing activity at Danish defense sites.
Bønsing told DR that when the ministry uses this particular law, it will probably be difficult for citizens to block an expansion. In principle, he said, residents can bring a court case to have the question tested. Given how the law is constructed, he expects it would be very hard to match.
The ministry plans to issue an executive order with a four week public consultation. During that period, neighbors and other interested parties can submit comments on the project.
Weibel Scientific, described by DR as the third largest defense company in Denmark, declined an interview but responded in an email. The company wrote that it notes the ministry’s decision with great satisfaction, and that it solves an important task for society by developing and testing advanced radar technology for Danish and European security.
Weibel added that it has considerable understanding for the fact that the case occupies the local area. The company said it looks forward to continued constructive dialogue and to the further process with authorities and neighbors, as it joins a growing Danish defense industry.
