Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033

On June 28 2023, the Danish Government (consisting of the Social Democratic Party, the Liberal Party and the Moderates), together with the Green Left, the Denmark Democrats, the Liberal Alliance, the Conservative  Party, the Social  Liberal  Party,  the  Danish  People’s  Party and the  New  Right have agreed on the overall framework for Danish defence and security from 2024 and through 2033.  

The agreement allocates approximately DKK 155 billion for investments in strengthening Danish defence and security. With the agreement, Denmark will meet NATO's target of two percent of GDP on defence expenditures permanently no later than 2030.

The Defence Agreement is an overall framework agreement reflecting the strategic and economic setting for the next 10 years. Concrete initiatives and investments in capacities will be discussed and agreed upon in partial agreements throughout the 10-year period. Thus, the framework agreement provides the necessary flexibility for taking into account political and technological developments as well as changes in the dynamic security landscape.

The historic strengthening of Danish defence and security is based on three benchmarks that sets the overall strategic direction for the next ten years:

1. Will and ability to contribute to NATO, EU and our Allies and partners
2. Investments must benefit the Danish society
3. The restoration of the Danish Defence

The Defence Agreement reflects the significant changes to the security landscape and presents a historic build-up of the Danish Defence, including funds to restore the Danish Defence in order to deal with challenges that have accumulated over the years. It also establishes the need to strengthen the financial management and supervision of the Defence Agreement, so that there is greater transparency, better supervision and closer follow-up on the political decisions as well as on the use of funds allocated by the Defence Agreement.

Link to the Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033 (pdf)

The first partial agreement under the Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033

On January 18 2024, the Government and the parties behind the Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033 agreed on the first partial agreement under the Defence Agreement.

The first partial agreement represents the first steps towards achieving the ambition of a strengthened Danish Defence. Initiatives entailed in the agreement are fundamental in ensuring that the build-up of the Danish Defence is off to a solid start.

Approximately DKK 16 billion is allocated to investments in the first partial agreement.

Investments include:

• acquisition of important military equipment to strengthen the combat capabilities of the Danish Defence and better meet NATO capability targets,
• initiatives to strengthen recruitment, retention and education of military personnel
• funds for the Danish Ministry of Defence’s agencies in order to help with the build-up of the Danish Defence.
• Continuation of a number of existing grants and initiatives for information and research activities in the veteran area

The partial agreement includes an increase of the financial framework of the Defence Agreement 2024-2033 by DKK 2.9 billion in 2028 and DKK 2.0 billion in 2029. The increase brings the total amount of the financial framework to approximately DKK 155 billion in the agreement period.

Link to the first partial agreement under the Defence Agreement 2024-2033:

Pressrelease: Broad majority agrees to spend approximately DKK 16 billion on more military equipment and personnel in the first partial agreement under the Defence Agreement

The second partial agreement under the Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033

On April 30 2024, the Government and the parties behind the Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033 agreed on the second partial agreement under the Defence Agreement.

The second partial agreement reflects the worsened security situation in Europe and the need to build-up the Danish Defence quicker than previously expected.

The agreement increases the financial framework of the Defence Agreement in the years 2024-2028 by DKK 35.2 billion bringing the total of the financial framework to approximately DKK 190 billion in the agreement period.

The new funds allow for fast-tracking investments in key military capabilities. Investments include the build-up the Danish Army's 1st Brigade, acquisition of land-based air defence systems, finishing the build-up of the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability and advancing acquisition of naval short range air defence.

The agreement also contains a new model for conscription that expands the conscription period to 11 months service with up to 5.000 conscripts yearly and full gender equality.

Furthermore, the agreement contains initiatives to strengthen the Danish Defence’s ability to recruit and retain military employees.

Approximately DKK 79 billion is allocated to investments in the second partial agreement.

Link to the second partial agreement under the Defence Agreement 2024-2033
Pressrelease: Fast-tracking key investments in defence and security and full gender equality in conscription