Denmark Triples Military Spending in Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Denmark announced on Tuesday that it would triple its military spending over the next ten years after Russia invaded Ukraine, with investments in the East, the North Atlantic and the Arctic. “The government wants to significantly strengthen Denmark’s defense and security by spending around 143 billion crowns (19.2 billion euros) over the next ten years”Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, whose name is circulating to become the new NATO Secretary General, had already announced a massive new allocation for Ukraine on Monday, with an additional envelope of 2.4 billion euros in 2023 and 2024.

In 2024, military expenditure (investment in equipment, personnel, infrastructure, etc.) will amount to 6.9 billion crowns, against 6.7 billion this year, and should triple to reach 19.2 billion (2.6 billion). euros) in 2033, according to the government’s plan. These efforts are notably financed by the abolition of a public holiday, already ratified despite an unusual protest movement. For the government, which intends to devote 2% of its GDP to its defense by 2030, an objective of NATO of which it is a member, the ambition is threefold.

“The objective remains for the Arctic and the North Atlantic to be an area of ​​low tension. We must of course protect Denmark and fulfill our obligation to take joint responsibility for security in the Baltic.”explained the Minister. “At the same time, Denmark must continue to support Ukraine in a meaningful way (…). And we must continue to be active and able to send contributions to the rest of the world. Our commitment to the European Union plays an important role in this.”he pointed out.