Majority favors fast-track air defense

Denmark seeks to urgently acquire a ground-based air defense system as the security situation in Europe becomes increasingly unpredictable. A political majority has agreed to procure a temporary system, as the country had dismantled its ground-based defense 20 years ago. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expects an agreement to be reached before summer, with the first systems operational by 2026. Recent intelligence warnings about potential credible threats from Russia have accelerated these efforts. Specific costs and available weapons systems remain under consideration, with Denmark exploring global options to meet these accelerated timescales. Denmark will gain a few years by acquiring temporary systems before going forward with the agreed permanent ground-based air defense solution. Meanwhile, NATO’s forthcoming force goals will influence Denmark’s long-term defense procurement decisions.