Denmark to buy $9 billion air defence systems as tensions with Russia grow

12/9/2025 16:06

Denmark plans to buy European-made air defence systems for 58 billion Danish crowns ($9.11 billion), its largest arms purchase ever, the country's defence minister said on Friday, citing a challenging security situation.



Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in February ordered the military to "buy buy buy" equipment in preparation for potential future Russian aggression in Europe.



Denmark plans to procure eight systems, including the long-range SAMP/T platform produced by Eurosam, a consortium of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales, as well as medium-range systems manufactured by Norway, Germany or France.



"There is no doubt that the security situation is challenged," Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told reporters on Friday.



"We have seen how Russia has violated Polish airspace with several drones... It is a reminder to all of us about the importance of strengthening our combat power," he added.