Denmark has announced plans to acquire 16 more F-35 fighter jets, enhance its air defense systems and maritime patrol capabilities, and expand its fleet of Arctic-capable patrol vessels, as part of a military spending program running through 2033 with a total budget of 88 billion Danish kroner ($13.7 billion), the government said.
The Danish Ministry of Defense stated on Friday that 29 billion kroner of this package is earmarked for additional F-35s, bringing the total planned fleet to 43 jets. Currently, Denmark operates 15 F-35s and expects to complete delivery of its existing order of 27 aircraft by 2026.
“Expanding the F-35 fleet is a central step in strengthening the Danish Armed Forces,” said Danish Chief of Defence Gen. Michael Hyldgaard.
Earlier this year, Denmark agreed to raise defense spending above 3% of GDP in 2025 and 2026, citing NATO requirements and the threat posed by Russia. In June, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described rearming Europe as the continent’s top priority, emphasizing that without robust defense capabilities, Europe could face serious security risks.
The Ministry of Defense said it will enter discussions with the F-35 Joint Program Office regarding the acquisition, including potential options for speeding up the delivery of the new jets.
Beyond the F-35s, Denmark also intends to procure Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), which could serve as reconnaissance platforms or unmanned combat extensions under the tactical control of F-35 pilots. The U.S. Air Force is developing the CCA concept as a “loyal wingman” to operate alongside manned fighter jets. The purchase will also include spare parts, flight simulators, and other support equipment.
The 2025–2033 defense budget allocates 27.8 billion kroner for ground-based air defenses, supplementing approximately 30 billion kroner already committed for this purpose. The total air-defense funding of 58 billion kroner, announced in September, is expected to cover eight medium- and long-range missile systems.
Denmark plans to spend another 27.4 billion kroner on enhancing its presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic, including the acquisition of two additional Arctic-ready patrol vessels and maritime patrol aircraft, potentially in collaboration with a NATO ally, the Ministry of Defense said.
To strengthen Arctic surveillance, Denmark is considering Boeing’s Poseidon-8 maritime patrol aircraft, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told TV2. The aircraft is already in service with Norway, the U.K., and Germany. Lund Poulsen has previously acknowledged that Denmark had long underinvested in ships and aircraft for monitoring its territory, including Greenland, an autonomous region.
As part of the plan, Denmark will install an air-warning radar in eastern Greenland and, in collaboration with Sikuki Nuuk Harbour A/S, construct a 150-meter naval quay in Nuuk with a depth of about 10 meters. The program also includes a submarine cable connecting Greenland to mainland Denmark.
Additionally, 2.1 billion kroner will be allocated for drone surveillance and counter-drone capabilities. Last month, Denmark requested NATO support to counter drones near a European summit in Copenhagen following multiple unidentified drone sightings.
Denmark will also purchase 44 new infantry fighting vehicles, scrapping an earlier plan to upgrade the same number of existing CV90 vehicles, and supplementing a previously announced order of 115 new CV90s from BAE Systems. The old vehicles will be gradually phased out and repurposed for spare parts whenever possible, the Ministry of Defense noted.
