Denmark to Buy 16 More F-35 From US After Drone Incursions

Denmark has announced plans to acquire 16 additional F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the United States, increasing its future fleet to 43 aircraft. The decision, confirmed by Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen on 10 October 2025, comes amid growing security concerns following a series of unidentified drone incursions into Danish airspace, including over military installations. The deal, valued at 29 billion Danish kroner (approximately $4.5 billion), represents a major expansion of Copenhagen’s fifth-generation airpower and its contribution to NATO’s northern defense posture.

The government also approved a 2.1 billion kroner ($320 million) package for anti-drone defense systems, aiming to counter hybrid threats increasingly observed across Northern Europe. The announcement follows several drone sightings over critical infrastructure and energy facilities, which Danish authorities suspect may be linked to Russian intelligence or pressure operations.

According to the Danish Ministry of Defence, the F-35 expansion will ensure a more robust and sustainable operational capability as the country transitions from its aging F-16 fleet. Deliveries from the initial order of 27 F-35s are ongoing and expected to be completed by 2026. Currently, Denmark operates 15 jets domestically at Fighter Wing Skrydstrup and six are stationed in the United States for training purposes.

The new batch of 16 aircraft is intended to accelerate the force build-up, reducing training and maintenance bottlenecks while preparing for full operational capability by 2027. Denmark plans to negotiate delivery schedules with the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) to secure earlier production slots under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. Lockheed Martin remains the prime contractor, with engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney.

The additional fighters will be accompanied by training systems, simulators, deployment kits, and logistics infrastructure, ensuring that Denmark can sustain higher sortie rates. The defense package also introduces Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)—unmanned systems that can operate alongside F-35s as “loyal wingmen,” extending the jet’s reach and situational awareness.

The F-35A offers Denmark a key technological edge, combining stealth, sensor fusion, AESA radar, and advanced data links. These features enable the aircraft to serve as both a strike platform and an ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) node, sharing real-time data across allied networks. Against European fourth-generation fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, or Gripen E, the F-35 provides enhanced survivability and interoperability, crucial for operations in contested electromagnetic environments.

Strategically, the expansion underscores Denmark’s growing focus on Arctic and North Atlantic security. Alongside the F-35 purchase, Copenhagen will invest 27.4 billion kroner to strengthen Arctic Command capabilities, upgrade surveillance infrastructure in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and enhance maritime patrol and reconnaissance assets. These measures aim to safeguard vital sea lanes and detect potential incursions across the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap, a key NATO maritime chokepoint.

The decision also reflects ongoing debates within Europe about future fighter procurement. Some EU nations are exploring European-made alternatives such as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) or Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). However, Denmark’s move signals continued confidence in U.S.-made systems and emphasizes NATO interoperability amid rising regional tensions.

In recent months, Denmark has reported multiple drone and naval provocations near its coasts and energy facilities in the North Sea. Authorities temporarily shut down airports in Copenhagen and Aalborg, while Karup Air Base also reported drone sightings. These incidents have reinforced the need for faster detection, attribution, and interception capabilities — a gap the expanded F-35 fleet aims to close.

Washington has previously urged Denmark to do more to secure the Arctic region, particularly given the strategic importance of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. The new defense initiatives address those concerns by deepening surveillance and response capacity in polar areas.

Overall, Denmark’s decision represents a comprehensive modernization effort, combining advanced airpower with Arctic and maritime vigilance. By 2027, a 43-strong F-35 fleet, integrated with drone defenses, CCA systems, and enhanced Arctic command networks, will give Copenhagen greater resilience against emerging threats and strengthen its role as a frontline contributor to NATO’s northern deterrence architecture.