The new unit will form part of Air Transport Wing and will be based at Aalborg Air Base. The aircraft are intended to monitor Danish interests in the Arctic, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.
The establishment of 729 Squadron and the introduction of the MQ-9B SeaGuardian form part of the ongoing build-up of Danish Defence. Denmark has set out an ambition to expand monitoring and surveillance in the Arctic and Greenland, and the new squadron is expected to contribute to that objective.
In addition to surveillance, the new capability can be deployed to support environmental monitoring and search and rescue operations. The aircraft will therefore provide a broader operational role beyond traditional intelligence tasks.
The name 729 Squadron has been used previously in the Danish Air Force between 1955 and 1993. During that period it served as a photo reconnaissance unit and played a reconnaissance role during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The newly established squadron will also contribute to photo reconnaissance. However, the new aircraft will be equipped with modern sensors to support surveillance and intelligence tasks more broadly.
The formation of 729 Squadron is being marked with a ceremony at Aalborg Air Base on Monday 16 February. The MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to Denmark from 2028.
Source: Danish Armed Forces.
