Denmark is set to bolster its air power with the purchase of 16 more F-35 fighter jets from the United States, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed on Friday. The announcement comes shortly after unidentified drones violated Danish airspace, flying over key military facilities and prompting renewed national security concerns.
To strengthen its defenses, Denmark will also procure anti-drone systems worth 2.1 billion kroner ($320 million). Officials have hinted that the drone incursions may have been part of Russian intelligence-gathering efforts, though investigations are still ongoing. The combined purchases underline Copenhagen’s growing focus on airspace protection and technological readiness.
The F-35 expansion, estimated at 29 billion kroner ($4.5 billion), will raise the Danish Air Force’s total fleet to 43 aircraft. The move comes as Europe discusses reducing dependence on U.S.-made fighters by investing in indigenous European platforms. Despite such debates, Denmark continues to align closely with U.S. defense systems and NATO interoperability goals.
Beyond air defense, Copenhagen announced plans to boost funding for Arctic and North Atlantic security, pledging billions toward better monitoring and defense capabilities. The initiative follows criticism from Washington that Denmark has not done enough to safeguard the strategically important Arctic region.
