Denmark to bolster Baltic Sea amid Russian threat « Euro Weekly News

The Danish defence ministry announced Friday that it will reinforce the Baltic Sea’s protection in light of the increased Russian threat in the region with advanced coastal batteries.

 “With the acquisition of coastal missile defence systems, we are sending a clear signal—in light of the increased uncertainty in the Baltic Sea—that we can and will defend the Danish coasts and waters,” Acting Chief of Defence General Michael W. Hyldgaard said.

While the specific missile system Denmark plans to acquire has not yet officially been disclosed, an Army Recognition report suggests the country is inclined to purchase the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defence System.

Although the report attributes that information to unnamed sources, a Konsberg March 6th statement supports their article, particularly because it does make sense that if two months ago the Danish government acquired NSMs, it would now require the defence system for deployment of those missiles.

The Nordic country recently acquired NSMs

“We are pleased to welcome Denmark to the group of countries that have selected the NSM, underpinning its position as the anti-ship missile of choice for Nato navies,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in that statement.

This fifth-generation, precision-guided weapon is capable of striking sea and land targets at extended ranges, making it a formidable choice for coastal defence, Army Recognition wrote.

Denmark became the 14th country to select the Naval Strike Missile, joining the navies of Norway, Poland, Malaysia, Germany, the United States, Romania, Canada, Australia, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Latvia, Konsberg said.

According to Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, one of the primary responsibilities of his country’s military is maintaining control and freedom of action in Danish waters.

Acknowledging Russia is a threat

The Nordic nation will significantly bolster its combat capabilities by deploying the missile system along its extensive coastline. “This will be absolutely crucial in the current security policy situation,” Poulsen stated. He emphasised the implications of the deployment.

The Baltic States have consistently recognised the threat Russia posed to their sovereignty. With Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in its third year in sight and no end in sight, the Baltic region finds itself at the forefront of conflict with Moscow, but a different set of challenges and regional dynamics.

Denmark is acquiring the NSMs by making use of its Acceleration Fund, which allocates 50 billion DKK (approximately 7 billion euros) to increase the country’s defence capabilities through 2026.

The fund is designed to sidestep governmental red tape, enabling swift responses to evolving threats and urgent operational needs.

“On the other side, Russia has not sat idle in the region and is also expanding its presence,” a Foreign Policy Research Institute report said. “While its focus has been on Ukraine and most of the troops that Russia had stationed around its Northern European border fighting in Ukraine, some forces remain just as active and are even expanding structurally and numerically.”