Denmark’s government plans to significantly increase the country’s military forces and defense budget, with a projected increase of over 3% of the country’s GDP. The defense budget is set to rise by 50 billion kroner, or approximately 6.7 billion euros, over the next two years, according to an announcement by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
The decision comes in response to a call by US President Donald Trump for NATO member states in Europe to increase their military spending to 5% of their GDP and invest more in the continent’s defense.
The Danish government has also expressed concern about the recent diplomatic meeting between high-ranking officials from Russia and the US in Riyadh, citing the possibility of a rapid ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict leading to a confrontation with NATO if Russian President Vladimir Putin perceives the military alliance as weakened or divided.
Following the emergency meeting of EU leaders in Paris, Frederiksen stated that a ceasefire in Ukraine “could sound better than it actually is” and could put Europe in an even more dangerous situation. She claimed that Putin is arming up, saying, “We don’t know what he plans, but we know that he and Russia are arming up.”
Denmark’s military intelligence agency, the DDIS, has warned in its latest report that Russia could be fully prepared for war against Europe within five years, should Moscow perceive the NATO as militarily and politically weakened and the US not be able to or willing to support European NATO members in a war against Russia.
The DDIS emphasizes that Russia is allegedly increasing its military capabilities to prepare for a possible war against NATO, should the alliance not increase its military investments.
In January, Frederiksen stated that the long-term military budget would likely be closer to 5% of GDP due to increased security threats.
Another challenge for Copenhagen is the repeated interest of Trump in Greenland, an autonomous territory within the kingdom, “for national security reasons.” A US military base is already located on the island.
Denmark is willing to allow the US to strengthen its presence on the island, said Frederiksen. “I fully agree with the Americans that the high north, the Arctic region, is becoming increasingly important when we talk about defense, security and deterrence. And it’s possible to find a way to ensure a stronger presence in Greenland” the Danish prime minister stated, reiterating that Greenland belongs to Denmark and “is not for sale.”
Frederiksen did not rule out the introduction of a war tax to finance the increased military spending, which could allow the defense budget to reach 5% of GDP. According to Bloomberg, citing the Danish think tank CEPOS, a war tax could cost an average Danish middle-class family around 85,000 kroner per year, or approximately 11,400 euros.