Denmark to buy more F-35 missiles, boost winter readiness
Denmark will buy additional medium-range air-to-air missiles for its F-35 fighter jets and invest in better Arctic gear for troops, as part of a broader push to strengthen national and NATO defence commitments, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
The announcement comes as Copenhagen accelerates its military build-up, with security in the Arctic and Greenland drawing increasing international attention.
“This is another step in the accelerated build-up of the Danish Armed Forces’ combat power,” Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement.
“The acquisition of additional medium-range air-to-air missiles for the F-35 fighter aircraft strengthens the defence of the Kingdom and NATO.”
The purchase follows a recommendation from Denmark’s Chief of Defence and has the backing of parties in the parliamentary defence agreement, known as the conciliation circle.
According to the Defence Ministry, the additional missiles will boost combat power and what it described as “credible deterrence.”
Alongside the missile purchase, the ministry said it was also acquiring extra winter equipment and supplies. The gear will support Danish troops deployed in Latvia and those training in Arctic conditions in Greenland, Norway and Sweden.
The costs will be covered partly by Denmark’s multi-year, defence spending package Acceleration Fund.
Commander of the Danish Air Force, Major General Jan Dam, said the additional missiles will reinforce Denmark’s “high level of readiness” both for the Kingdom and for its allies.
“With additional missiles, we are strengthening the F-35’s operational effectiveness and our ability to solve tasks both nationally and within the framework of NATO,” he said.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: With cooperation under strain, Canada joins partners in defending the Arctic Council’s future, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Denmark to provide four F-35 fighter jets to NATO’s Arctic Sentry, Reuters
Finland: Greenland clash left a mark on EU-US relations says Finnish PM, Yle News
Greenland: New Italy Arctic policy adds U.S. Greenland ambitions to growing Arctic competition narrative, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: The UK doubles number of troops in Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia claims first-ever North Pole aerial refuelling, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish military intelligence on the great power rivalry over Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: Rubio says technical talks with Denmark, Greenland officials over Arctic security have begun, The Associated Press
