the Danish Defence

Organization & Personnel

The Danish military is a unified force consisting of four primary service branches and several specialized commands. 

• Royal Danish Army: Primarily focuses on land-based operations with approximately 8,000–9,000 professional troops. It is currently building a fully combat-ready heavy brigade expected by 2028.
• Royal Danish Navy: Responsible for maritime security and sovereignty of Danish, Greenlandic, and Faroese waters. It operates 20 commissioned ships, including Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates.
• Royal Danish Air Force: Operates a fleet of 118 aircraft, including F-35A Lightning II fighters, which are replacing the aging F-16 fleet.
• Danish Home Guard: A volunteer-based organization of over 50,000 personnel that supports the active military during national crises.
• Special Operations Command: Includes elite units like the Jægerkorpset (Army) and Frømandskorpset (Navy frogmen). 

Fleet Modernization & Fighters

The primary focus of the RDAF is the transition from the aging F-16 fleet to the F-35A Lightning II. 

• F-35A Transition: As of early 2026, Denmark has received a majority of its initial order of 27 F-35A aircraft. The final six jets from this original contract are expected for delivery by the end of 2026.
• Fleet Expansion: In October 2025, Denmark approved the purchase of 16 additional F-35A jets, bringing the planned total fleet to 43 aircraft. These extra units are intended to bolster defenses in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
• F-16 Phase-Out: The RDAF is rapidly decommissioning its F-16 fleet, with a total of 19 jets donated to Ukraine and 24 sold to Argentina. Final withdrawal from active Danish service is expected to be complete by the end of 2025 or early 2026. 

Maritime & Arctic Operations

Expanding Denmark's presence in the Arctic is a key strategic priority for 2026. 

• P-8A Poseidon: In January 2026, the U.S. approved the sale of three P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Denmark. These will be used for long-range surveillance and anti-submarine warfare, particularly around Greenland.
• Helicopters: The RDAF operates MH-60R Seahawk helicopters primarily for maritime tasks, including search and rescue (SAR) and anti-submarine warfare. It also maintains EH101 Merlin helicopters for heavy-lift transport and SAR.
• Drones & Future Tech: Denmark is beginning to test unmanned ground and aerial systems. Integration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones to fly alongside the F-35 fleet is a long-term goal established in late 2025. 

 

 

2026 Modernization & Policy Changes 

Denmark has significantly increased its military investment, with a 2025 budget of approximately DKK 75 billion (€10 billion). 

• Conscription Expansion: As of July 1, 2025, military service became mandatory for both men and women. Standard service time was also increased from 4 to 11 months to improve readiness.
• Air Power: By the end of 2026, delivery of the initial order of 27 F-35A jets is expected to be complete. In late 2025, Denmark approved the purchase of an additional 16 units to bring the total planned fleet to 43.
• Arctic Presence: Denmark is investing roughly €2 billion specifically to bolster defense in Greenland and the Arctic, including new long-range drones, satellites, and MPV80-class ships.
• GDP Targets: Military spending reached roughly 2.37% of GDP in 2024, exceeding the NATO 2% benchmark.