Denmark aims to finalize its purchase of ground-based air defense systems by the end of this year, committing up to 25 billion Danish kroner (about US $3.4 billion) for the program, according to the country’s Ministry of Defence.
For its long-range capabilities, Denmark plans to decide between the U.S.-made Patriot system and the French-Italian SAMP/T during autumn 2025, the ministry told Defense News. The goal is to sign all contracts by year’s end, which could include acquiring additional short- and medium-range systems.
This move comes as European governments react to the widespread destruction caused by Russian air strikes on Ukrainian cities, with NATO naming air defense a strategic investment priority. Across the continent, nations are racing to strengthen existing systems or establish new ones to protect their airspace.
Over the past two months, Denmark has procured systems from three different manufacturers to quickly restore an initial air defense capability—two decades after retiring its Hawk missile units. The acquisitions include leasing a NASAMS battery from Norway, purchasing two VL MICA launch units from MBDA, and buying an IRIS-T SLM system from Germany’s Diehl Defence.
According to the ministry, these systems should become operational between late 2025 and early 2027, with NASAMS expected to be deployed first. Establishing this initial capacity will cost over 6 million kroner, covering both acquisition and a period of operating expenses. For now, the four systems meet Denmark’s immediate requirements, and no further short-term purchases are planned.
Looking ahead, the government has not decided whether to expand its inventory of short- and medium-range systems, or whether to standardize on a single platform. The forthcoming long-range acquisition is considered a “permanent solution,” with the combined budget for all systems—short-, medium-, and long-range—estimated at between 19 billion and 25 billion kroner, including some operational costs.
For context, Belgium—another nation without a ground-based missile shield—recently allocated €2 billion (US $2.3 billion) for 10 NASAMS systems and an additional €2 billion for three long-range air defense platforms. Around the Baltic Sea, countries are making similar investments: Estonia announced plans on July 30 to form an air-defense brigade and procure more IRIS-T, Piorun, and Mistral systems as part of a €10 billion defense package for 2026-2029; Sweden revealed in June its purchase of seven more IRIS-T SLM units for roughly 9 billion Swedish kronor (US $805 million); and Norway ordered new NASAMS units worth up to 4.8 billion Norwegian kroner (US $468 million) to replace systems donated to Ukraine.
Denmark and Sweden’s IRIS-T acquisitions fall under the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative, through which several nations, including Slovakia and Switzerland, have also procured the Diehl system this year.
