Denmark has agreed to purchase two long-range precision missile systems for its armed forces, prompting a warning from Russia over what Moscow described as Copenhagen’s confrontational policy.
The acquisitions include the Anthem system from defence firm Covenant, which can be launched from land, and Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM), which will be integrated with Denmark’s F-35 fighter fleet.
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Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said the weapons were intended to strengthen national and collective deterrence and address a Nato demand for long-range precision capabilities.
“The acquisitions are a significant step towards making Denmark better able to defend itself, strengthening Nato and increasing our ability to strike back,” Jeppe Bruus said.
The Danish Defence Ministry said the missiles use advanced navigation technology to engage targets at long range. It said they would provide an ability to deter attacks and, if necessary, strike targets deep inside opposing territory.
Kongsberg separately confirmed that Denmark had announced its intention to acquire the JSM for its F-35 aircraft. The company described the weapon as a fifth-generation, air-to-surface missile that can be carried internally by the F-35A.
Denmark would become the seventh country to select the JSM, following Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway and the US, Kongsberg said.
The value and scope of the planned contract have not yet been determined, with negotiations still to take place.
Covenant said on LinkedIn that it would partner with Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, known by its Danish acronym DALO, to supply Anthem.
“We’re proud to partner with Denmark’s Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse (DALO) to deliver Anthem, our long-range precision strike system,” it stated.
The Russian embassy in Copenhagen criticised the move in a written statement, saying Denmark’s missile policy was directed towards “confrontation” with Moscow.
“Copenhagen is enthralled by the dangerous illusions that purchasing offensive high-precision long-range weapons to pose a military threat to a nuclear power will help strengthen Denmark’s security and defence,” the embassy said.
It warned of “inevitable disastrous consequences”.
Denmark announced last year that it intended to acquire long-range offensive weapons in response to the perceived threat from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had urged the military to “buy, buy, buy” after years of defence budget reductions.
