Denmark is pursuing an ambitious defense modernization program that spans from F-35 fighter jet acquisitions to coordinating European support for Ukraine’s air defenses, while simultaneously bolstering its Arctic presence in response to growing geopolitical pressures.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has confirmed plans to significantly expand the country’s F-35 Lightning II fleet beyond the original 27-aircraft order. Speaking at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event in July 2025, Poulsen indicated that purchasing additional F-35 combat aircraft “will be the way forward,” with at least 10 additional jets planned for acquisition.
This expansion would bring Denmark’s total F-35 fleet to approximately 40 aircraft, representing what Poulsen described as “a very large amount of billions” in investment. The Royal Danish Air Force currently operates 15 delivered F-35As at Skrydstrup Air Base, with six aircraft remaining in the United States for training purposes.
A significant milestone for 2025 will see F-35s begin to occasionally replace aging F-16 fighters in air policing duties, marking Denmark’s transition to fifth-generation air power. The country plans to completely phase out its F-16 fleet by 2027, as these aircraft have been in service since the 1980s.
Denmark is also exploring strategic deployments of its F-35 fleet, with plans to upgrade Kangerlussuaq airport in western Greenland to support F-35 operations. This development would represent one of the most significant improvements to Greenland’s security infrastructure in decades.
Denmark has emerged as a key coordinator in European efforts to provide advanced air defense systems to Ukraine. Poulsen secured an agreement on behalf of European nations to purchase and donate 10 Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, marking a breakthrough in addressing critical capability gaps.
“The most important part right now is that Europe would be able to buy military equipment here in the U.S., so we can donate these military systems directly to Ukraine,” Poulsen explained at the CSIS event. This arrangement addresses previous constraints where no additional Patriot systems were available for immediate purchase from U.S. manufacturers.
Recent developments indicate substantial European commitment to this initiative. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Germany is prepared to fund two Patriot systems while Norway will finance one additional system. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been actively encouraging European allies to transfer existing Patriot batteries to Ukraine and purchase replacements from American manufacturers.
Germany currently possesses 13-14 Patriot batteries and is in advanced talks with the United States to secure at least two additional systems for Ukraine. This coordinated approach allows for faster delivery than waiting for new production, as Ukraine faces intensified Russian aerial bombardment.
Denmark has dramatically increased its Arctic defense spending in response to growing regional tensions and renewed U.S. interest in Greenland. In January 2025, Copenhagen announced a $2.05 billion investment package to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.
The comprehensive package includes funding for three new Arctic naval vessels capable of carrying helicopters and drones, long-range surveillance drones with advanced imaging capabilities, and enhanced satellite coverage. This investment follows a separate $1.5 billion Greenland defense package announced in December 2024, covering inspection ships, surveillance drones, and additional dog sled patrol teams.
“We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defense in the Arctic and North Atlantic,” Poulsen stated. “For this reason, we must strengthen our presence in the region”.
Currently, Denmark’s Arctic capabilities consist of four aging inspection vessels, one surveillance aircraft, and 12 dog sled patrols monitoring an area four times the size of France. The new investments aim to address what has been characterized as a “security black hole” in the strategically vital region.
These defense enhancements come amid President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that U.S. control of Greenland is “an absolute necessity” for American national security. Danish and Greenlandic officials have firmly rejected any notion of transferring sovereignty, with Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede stating that “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland”.
Rather than acquiring expensive maritime patrol aircraft, Denmark has opted for a cost-effective approach by leasing flight hours from Norway’s P-8 Poseidon fleet. This arrangement provides surveillance capacity over the Arctic without the substantial investment required for independent aircraft procurement.
“Right now, we are looking into buying [flight] hours from the P-8 system… for capacity,” Poulsen explained. “They have [the aircraft] in Norway and Germany and [we do] not [have interest in] buying it ourselves, but buying hours” alone.
This decision reflects Denmark’s pragmatic approach to defense procurement, recognizing the benefits of multinational cooperation in addressing capability requirements while managing costs effectively.
Denmark’s defense initiatives align with broader NATO requirements and changing security dynamics. The alliance has set new targets of 5% of GDP for defense spending, creating pressure for increased military investment across member states. Denmark committed over 3% of its GDP, approximately $7 billion, to defense spending over two years in early 2025.
The country’s defense strategy emphasizes interoperability with NATO allies and standardization around proven platforms like the F-35. As Poulsen noted, Denmark cannot afford to operate multiple types of fighter aircraft due to its size and resource constraints, justifying the focus on a standardized F-35 fleet.
These developments demonstrate Denmark’s commitment to addressing multiple security challenges simultaneously: supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, strengthening Arctic sovereignty, and modernizing its own military capabilities.
The coordinated approach reflects both the interconnected nature of contemporary security challenges and Denmark’s role as a reliable ally in addressing them.