Defence Minister prioritizes speed in purchases

The Danish government and Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen plan to overhaul the military’s procurement process by focusing on speed during a significant armament expansion. Purchasing takes too long, and the repetitive tender processes slow things down. Poulsen highlights the need to shake things up, enhance legal expertise, revamp FMI’s organization, and shift towards fewer tenders with more direct purchases, as permitted by EU rules. There will also be an emphasis on international collaboration and the use of loans or leases. A report by Deloitte in 2024 criticized procurement as cumbersome, leading to errors and delays, with FMI lacking decision-making power and resources to manage current tasks. The minister acknowledges the risk of errors as direct acquisitions increase but stresses the necessity for swiftness given the current security situation. The final proposal for FMI’s reorganization is expected in February.