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by Maxwell Orme Johnson
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| Danish peace enforcer during
a recent training exercise. |
| Courtesy website: strongresolve.secondfleet.navy.mil |
The future of the Danish Armed Forces is contained
in a simple but all-encompassing statement: Vision
2010 of the Danish Armed Forces. Vision 2010 states
that “the Armed Forces shall comprise responsive,
well-equipped, well-trained and well-motivated military
forces, which will take a leading role in carrying
out both the national and international tasks.”
Admiral Tim Sloth Jorgensens, the deputy chief
of the Danish Armed Forces, translates this into
language that war-fighters and policymakers alike
understand: “We want to be the lead nation
in global peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations.”
Danish soldiers, sailors and airmen have taken
part in UN peacekeeping activities since 1948. By
Sept. 2002, more than 60,000 Danish troops had served
in NATO, OSCE and UN peacekeeping missions across
the globe. During 2002, more than 1,100 members
from all three services could be found keeping or
enforcing the peace in international missions around
the world: in the Balkans, in the Mediterranean
Sea, in and around Afghanistan, and in Africa. It
is clear that the focus of the Danish Armed Forces
is being transformed from the primary missions of
homeland defense of Denmark and contributing forces
to NATO, with a secondary role of peacekeeping,
to being organized, equipped and trained to participate
on an expanded level in global peace enforcement
operations.
Denmark still attaches great importance to its
membership and to its participation in the integrated
military structure in NATO. As nearly the smallest
country in the organization. Danes view this cooperation
as the best guarantee for security and stability
both in Europe and for Denmark. The Force Structure
includes forces from all services, which could be
placed under NATO command in times of crisis or
war. Denmark contributes forces from all three services,
which are earmarked with an attached degree of readiness
and availability.
Although Denmark is a full member of the EU, since
the ratification of the Treaty of the European Union
in 1992/1993, it has had an exemption (opt-out)
in the area of defense and military matters. Consequently,
Denmark does not participate in decisions and actions
of the EU with defense implications. It does not
commit troops to the EU baseline force goal and
has made it clear to the EU that it will not participate
with other EU military forces in crisis management
operations.
Denmark has compulsory military service, and the
defense of Denmark relies on total mobilization.
However, in accordance with the current Defense
Agreement 2000 to 2004, the emphasis in Danish defense
is shifting from home defense based upon mobilization
to crisis management using reaction forces. This
international operations capability will be strengthened
by significant structural rationalization and adjustments,
which are being implemented within the period 2000-2004.
In peacetime, the active forces are a mixture of
commissioned officers, professional noncommissioned
officers (NCOs) and soldiers, conscripts (officers,
NCOs and privates) and civilians.
As an integral part of its transformation, Denmark
has selected the Agusta/Westland EH101 helicopter
as replacement for the S-61 Search and Rescue helicopter
and as the new tactical transport helicopter for
the Danish Reaction Brigade. Fourteen helicopters
are on order. Furthermore, Denmark has ordered two
new Large Flexible Support vessels for the Navy
and three new C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft
are on order to replace three old C-130H Hercules.
With a defense budget of DKK 17 billion (slightly
over $2 billion), Denmark appears to be well on
the road to becoming a world-class crisis management
force.
The years of occupation during the Second World
War brought an important change in the attitude
of the population towards homeland defense. This
is best reflected in the strength of the Home Guard.
Approximately 61,000 men and women are trained as
volunteers by some 250 regulars.
Admiral Jorgensens’ message to the U.S. is
that Denmark and Danish Armed Forces have always
worked closely with U.S. forces in the NATO context,
but that since 9/11, Danish forces stand shoulder-to-shoulder
with U.S. forces in the fight against global terrorism.
For more information on the Danish Armed Forces,
please visit: www.fko.dk
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