Denmark's military reforms include mandatory service for women
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces Danish defense overhaul, citing concerns regarding Russia
Denmark is preparing to enlist women for military service, placing it among a handful of countries mandating female participation in the armed forces.
Denmark now joins Norway and Sweden as one of the few European nations to mandate female conscription, marking a significant step towards gender parity in the military landscape.
Promoting gender equality in armed forces
Prime Minister Metter Frederiksen unveiled the progressive reforms, emphasizing the government's commitment to achieving "full equality between the sexes".
"More robust conscription, including full gender equality, must contribute to solving defense challenges, national mobilization, and bolstering our armed forces," stated Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen during a press conference.
While women in Denmark have long been able to volunteer for military service, the new policy aims to increase participation and diversity within the armed forces.
Last year, approximately 25% of the 4,700 individuals who served in the military were women. Under the new reforms, this number will see an uptick, with an annual target of 5,000 individuals, including both men and women.
The Danish Army, comprising 7,000 to 9,000 professional troops alongside conscripts undergoing basic training, is set to undergo substantial changes.
In addition to extending the service period for both genders from four to 11 months, Denmark plans to invest in land-based air defense systems and bolster its infantry brigade to accommodate up to 6,000 soldiers by 2028.
A strategic move for peace and security
Addressing concerns about militarization, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that Denmark's military expansion is not fueled by aggression but rather by a commitment to maintaining peace and security.
"We are rearming right now to avoid war in a world where the international order is being challenged," Frederiksen said.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the moves were being made as a form of deterrence. While “Russia does not pose a threat to Denmark," Rasmussen said, “ we will not bring ourselves to a place where they could come to do that.”
To meet NATO's defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP, Denmark will boost its defense budget by €5.4 billion over the next five years.
This commitment underscores Denmark's role as a key NATO member and a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its efforts to counter Russia's aggression. Copenhagen is slated to supply Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets, further solidifying its commitment to collective security.
Two Nordic countries - Finland and Sweden - have recently joined NATO, as the alliance is bolstering its defenses in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Newsroom
