The discussions regarding the acquisition of submarines were revealed during a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute, where Aastrup Jensen highlighted the need to strengthen defence in the Arctic, the Faroe Islands, and the Baltic Sea.
He emphasized the strategic importance of Denmark’s location, with Russian naval vessels passing through Danish waters. Aastrup Jensen also mentioned ongoing negotiations in the Danish Parliament to reach the NATO defence spending threshold of 2% of GDP.
He discussed the possibility of acquiring submarines or establishing closer cooperation with countries already possessing or planning to acquire submarines. The announcment comes as Denmark recognizes the changing security dynamics in the Baltic region.
Denmark is not the only Scandinavian country witnessing an increased need for underwater capabilities. Last week, the Norwegian Armed Forces released the Chief of Defence’s Military Advice 2023, commissioned by the Norwegian government in November. In the document, Chief of Norwegian Defence Eirik Kristoffersen states that the number of submarines in the future fleet should increase from four to six, effectively doubling operational availability.
The Norwegian Submarine Service currently possesses six Ula-class submarines, manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s. Two of these submarines are to be decommissioned, and the remaining four will gradually be replaced by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ Type 212CD.
