Amid rising geopolitical tensions in Europe, Denmark is stepping up its defence strategy, taking a comprehensive approach to national security in response to Russia’s military activity in the Baltic region.
The Ukrainian Week spoke with Anne Ingemann Johansen, associate professor at the Centre for Military Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, about Denmark’s latest defence acquisitions, their implications for the balance of power in Northern Europe and the Baltic, and one of the largest military exercises in Greenland’s modern history — Arctic Light 2025 — and the signals it sends to both Moscow and Washington.
— Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently announced that Denmark will acquire long-range precision weapons to counter the threat Russia poses to Europe. Last week, Copenhagen also confirmed plans to spend 58 billion Danish kroner on European air defence systems — the largest arms purchase in the country’s history. How do you assess these latest defence acquisitions, and are there other recent purchases worth mentioning?
— Denmark’s recent defence acquisitions mark a real shift in its security policy. By investing in European air defence systems and long-range precision weapons, Copenhagen is moving beyond its traditional focus on territorial defence and signalling a move toward a credible offensive capability. Politically, this sends a clear message: Denmark is preparing not only to defend its own territory but also to play a more active role in NATO and Europe’s efforts to deter Russia.
It is still too early to say just how far this offensive capability might extend — whether Denmark could one day target military installations in Kaliningrad or even Moscow — but the decision itself is highly significant. It aligns closely with the actions of other European allies, who are modernising their arsenals in response to the deteriorating security environment.
These moves follow a string of major defence deals earlier this year: new drones and patrol vessels to strengthen Arctic security, three new frigates on order, and Denmark’s first observation satellite to boost maritime awareness in the High North. Together, they signal a steady effort to strengthen both territorial resilience and long-range capabilities, reflecting Denmark’s sharpened sense of danger following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
At the same time, Denmark still has some important gaps to fill, and the current shortcomings only show how urgent this shift in policy really is. For instance, the Danish Air Force still lacks enough combat aircraft to meet NATO requirements, limiting the country’s ability to project power, maintain air superiority, or participate effectively in coalition air operations. If this issue is not resolved, it could undercut the effectiveness of the new offensive and defensive capabilities Denmark is now building.
— How could these moves reshape the balance of power in Northern Europe and the Baltic? And, in your view, what signal is Copenhagen sending to Moscow with these decisions?
— Traditionally, Denmark has invested less in defence than many of its northern neighbours, but that is changing. With new long-range precision weapons and European air defence systems, the country is positioning itself as a more capable and reliable player in the defence of Northern Europe and the Baltic region.
Compared to Finland, which joined NATO with one of Europe’s strongest armies and a long-standing tradition of territorial defence, Denmark still has some catching up to do. These measures show Denmark moving closer to the level of Northern European countries in credible, effective deterrence.
The signal to Moscow is clear: Denmark is no longer a “soft flank.” Its investments in long-range and air defence capabilities mean it can defend its own territory and, if deterrence fails, target Russian military assets. More broadly, these moves are meant to strengthen NATO’s defensive posture across Northern Europe and the Baltic states, closing vulnerabilities and making any further Russian aggression far more costly.
— At the same time, Greenland hosted what were effectively the largest military exercises in its modern history — Arctic Light 2025 — with Denmark opting not to invite U.S. troops. The head of Denmark’s Arctic Command, Søren Andersen, said the exercises are designed to prepare the military for potential scenarios involving increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. There had also been prior statements about the region from Donald Trump. In your view, who were these exercises really sending signals to, and why?
— Arctic Light 2025 was primarily a signal to Washington. Denmark wants to move Greenland’s territorial defence out of an exclusively bilateral framework with the United States and integrate it into NATO or a broader European structure. In the context of Donald Trump’s previous statements about Greenland, Copenhagen is sensitive to U.S. criticism and keen to show that it is ready and capable of strengthening Arctic defence.
At the same time, the exercises highlighted that Denmark views the Arctic as a potential arena for great-power competition. By running scenarios involving Russian and Chinese activity, Copenhagen is also signalling that the Far North must be treated as an integral part of NATO’s collective deterrence.
