Denmark commits $4.5 billion for additional F-35 jets, invests in Arctic defense spending plan

BELFAST — Denmark pledged today to spend 56.4 billion Danish Krone ($8.77 billion) on “significantly strengthening” its defense capabilities, split between a second tranche acquisition of 16 Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, valued at 27.4 billion Danish Krone, and an Arctic spending plan at a cost of 27.4 billion Danish Krone.

The decision to invest in more F-35 stealth jets takes the Danish Air Force’s fleet to 43 units and “enables the solution of new combat aircraft tasks,” the Danish MoD said in a translated statement. In June, Denmark’s Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen initially shared that at least 10 more of the US made aircraft would be acquired.

“The Ministry of Defense will now initiate a dialogue with the international F-35 program office with the aim of being able to implement a rapid delivery of the new fighter aircraft, which can support a rapid build-up of the Danish Armed Forces’ combat power,” added the MoD statement.

Copenhagen revealed that “as something new” the F-35 acquisition will also include Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) wingman drones, appearing to confirm for the first time that it plans on acquiring the US-made platforms. The exact timing of such an order remains to be seen as the US Air Force program only reached its flight test phase in August. 

The CCAs “are seen as a significant contribution to operational task solving. The follow-up drones can, for example, be used as a forward weapons platform or for reconnaissance under tactical control of the pilot in the F-35 fighter aircraft,” noted the MoD.

Funding of spare parts, flight simulators and a variety of other supporting systems are also tied to the combat jet acquisition. The platform is a core part of Denmark’s contribution to NATO missions.

In a separate statement, Copenhagen shared details of its Arctic spending plan, driven largely by land and maritime investments, with a heavy focus on boosting Greenland defenses. Specifically, plans for a new Arctic Command headquarters in Nuuk, Greenland, have been approved, so too “provision of maritime patrol aircraft,” potentially through cooperating with a NATO counterpart.

Lund Poulsen has previously indicated that if a maritime patrol aircraft deal involving alliance members does not go ahead, Copenhagen will push forward with a deal on its own. 

Other procurements included in the regional spending push include a pair of Arctic ships, while “access to icebreaker capability” has also been signed off. Investment in a North Atlantic submarine cable between Denmark and Greenland, drone procurements and development of a radar capability in East Greenland have also been waved through by lawmakers.

Denmark’s prioritization of boosting defenses in Greenland comes amid political tension with US President Donald Trump, based on his comments around buying the self-ruled territory or taking it by force.