Key facts
- Denmark has initiated an extended 11-month military conscription program.
- Women will be included in conscription for the first time.
- The number of conscripts is projected to increase significantly by 2033.
- Danish conscripts will be deployed to Greenland for operational tasks.
- The defense build-up is influenced by Arctic security and the war in Ukraine.
Denmark has commenced an extended military conscription program, with approximately 1,600 recruits beginning an 11-month service period. This initiative marks a significant acceleration in the nation's defense build-up, influenced by heightened Arctic security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine. For the first time, women will be included in the conscription process, and the standard service duration has been increased from four months. The number of conscripts is slated to rise to 7,500 annually by 2033, up from the current 5,000.
This new intake coincides with Denmark's preparation to deploy conscripts to Greenland for the first time later this month. Over 100 soldiers are expected to serve for one month in operational roles. The deployment carries political significance amid past attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory, a demand rejected by Greenland and Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently stated at a NATO summit that Denmark is prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory. A 19-year-old conscript, Silas Nohr, expressed his approval of the longer service period, feeling it allows for deeper engagement with military life. The program involves five months of basic training followed by six months of operational service, with new tracks like a drone platoon being introduced. Denmark's conscription system uses a ballot for all healthy 18-year-olds, though it has historically relied on volunteers.