For the first time in its modern history, the Danish government plans to acquire long-range precision strike weapons as part of a major shift in national defense policy, aiming to strengthen its military deterrence against Russia and contribute more robustly to NATO.
A Strategic Shift in Danish Defense Policy
In what the Danish government has labeled a “paradigm shift” in its defense strategy, plans were announced this week to bolster the country’s military with long-range offensive weapons. This marks the first time Denmark intends to acquire precision strike capabilities intended for deterrence, not just defense. This is a clear step in updating Denmark’s military.
The primary goal of acquiring such systems is to contribute to NATO’s collective deterrence efforts toward Russia, rather than to initiate unilateral military action. The capabilities will allow Denmark to strike targets from afar and provide deeper strategic effectiveness in joint operations with allies. The focus is on keeping Denmark safe.
Unclear Which Weapons Will Be Purchased
Although the overall objective is clear—acquiring offensive long-range capabilities—the specific systems Denmark plans to buy have not been disclosed. Government leaders, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, have held back from naming weapons platforms or offering a price range.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has indicated that weapon types under consideration include both missiles and drones. Other possibilities could include cruise missiles or artillery-based systems, but the final decision will be informed by an analysis conducted by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization.
Tomahawk Missiles and F-35 Jets Are Strong Contenders
Considering the military hardware already in Denmark’s inventory, the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile appears to be a strong candidate. These missiles could be launched from the Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, which are already outfitted for such technology. The Tomahawk is capable of hitting targets more than 1,500 kilometers away.
Another viable platform includes Denmark’s recently acquired fleet of F-35A fighter jets. These advanced aircraft are compatible with various long-range armaments, including precision-guided bombs and missiles. Denmark is expected to operate at least 27 F-35A fighters, several of which have already been delivered and are operational.
According to military analysts, many NATO partners have already integrated offensive weaponry into their F-35 fleets, which further positions Denmark to align itself with alliance norms regarding defense capability.
A Role for Ukrainian Defense Manufacturers?
An intriguing potential development stems from a recent agreement that allows Ukrainian defense firms to establish weapons manufacturing in Denmark. This opens the possibility for Denmark to collaborate with Ukrainian companies producing long-range attack drones and other advanced systems.
If this partnership evolves, Denmark could integrate battlefield-proven technologies from Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia into its own arsenal. Such cooperation may lead to domestically produced missile or drone systems tailored to both Danish and broader NATO requirements.
Contributions to NATO’s Collective Deterrence
Experts in international defense stress that acquiring long-range weapons alone will not significantly deter Russia on a national level. However, they affirm that Denmark’s move should be viewed as part of a broader NATO initiative to strengthen Europe’s eastern defenses.
This approach underscores Denmark’s commitment to alliance-based security and builds on years of increased defense spending. Earlier in 2024, the Danish government approved what it called the largest arms procurement in the country’s history—planned to total more than 58 billion Danish kroner (approximately $8.3 billion USD) over the next several years.
Analysis and Next Steps
Before final decisions are made, the Ministry of Defense will assess which systems best fit Denmark’s defense infrastructure and long-term strategic goals. The procurement process is expected to consider cost, deployment capability, and battlefield effectiveness.
Until the final announcement is made, discussions will continue in Parliament and with NATO allies to ensure full alignment on military priorities. While the timeline and budget remain to be detailed, the strategic direction is clear: The Danish government is preparing to contribute more heavily to NATO’s deterrence architecture through advanced, long-range weapons systems.
