The time calls for a faster rearmament, stated Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) in the middle of March at a press conference flanked by Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen (V) and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M). Here, it was announced that the government will allocate new billions to the Defense. Photo: Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix
NATO’s increasing demands on Danish defense
NATO’s strength objectives for Danish defense will considerably grow in number and scale according to a memo from the Ministry of Defense seen by DR. Denmark is working towards fulfilling new requirements, including a brigade of 6,000 soldiers and Arctic surveillance drones, which are not yet met. The Danish government plans to boost defense spending by DKK 40.5 billion by 2028, reaching 2% of GDP—the NATO target Denmark has long failed to achieve. Criticism from NATO concerns Denmark’s previous non-compliance with the strength goals, with the next evaluation due in May 2023. Efforts will be funded through budget reallocations and a historic increase in defense spending, as confirmed by Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.