Denmark Fast-Tracks Air Defence with Trio of Systems from Germany, France, and Norway

In a bold and urgent move to boost its national security, Denmark has decided to procure three different short-range air defence systems from three separate countries—Germany, France, and Norway. The Danish Ministry of Defence announced the decision on 10 June as part of a rapid procurement initiative aimed at protecting its population, military sites, and key infrastructure from modern aerial threats.

The approach is unusual but strategic. Faced with the growing need to rapidly build up ground-based air defence, Denmark concluded that no single supplier could deliver the required systems within the tight deadline. To meet operational readiness by 2026, the country opted to spread its bets—selecting one system each from different manufacturers.

After evaluating 10 proposals from companies across Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Turkey, and Israel, Denmark finalized its selections. It will purchase the IRIS-T SLM system from Germany's Diehl Defence, buy the VL MICA system from MBDA France, and lease the NASAMS system from Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The total value of the contract package exceeds 6 billion Danish kroner, or around 800 million euros.

This procurement marks the first phase of a two-track plan approved by the Danish government earlier this year. The initial goal is to quickly deploy temporary systems to cover the country’s most critical air defence needs. The second phase will focus on selecting permanent systems for long-term protection, with a final decision expected later in 2025.

The Ministry of Defence emphasized that the urgency stems from rising geopolitical tensions and an evolving security landscape in Europe. Denmark’s current ground-based air defence capabilities are minimal, and the government is taking steps to ensure it is no longer left exposed to threats from drones, missiles, or aircraft.

The selected systems represent some of the most trusted and widely used technologies in NATO countries. The IRIS-T SLM has been fielded successfully by Ukraine against Russian missile and drone attacks. NASAMS, a joint U.S.-Norwegian system, is already in use in many Western nations, including for the protection of Washington, D.C. The VL MICA, meanwhile, offers a highly mobile solution with strong performance in short- to medium-range engagements.

Denmark’s plan to mix and match these systems reflects a new kind of defence strategy—fast, flexible, and tailored to urgent needs. It also demonstrates the country's commitment to strengthening NATO’s collective deterrence posture at a time of global uncertainty.