The brigade will be the largest military unit in the Danish defense, and it has been postponed several times.
The army’s heavy brigade must be built as soon as possible, after its establishment has been postponed several times and promised to be completed ahead of schedule.
Therefore, parts of the army’s fist are being brought forward by several years, and a total of 3.5 billion kroner is being spent on things such as ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.
This is stated in a press release on Friday.
“Europe is facing a changed security policy reality, and therefore the building of the Danish Armed Forces’ combat power is being accelerated, so that we both increase national defense and collective deterrence,” says Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen (V).
A brigade is the largest military unit in the Danish defense and consists of soldiers as well as tanks, weapons and vehicles ready to go to war on their own with weeks’ notice.
This has been a requirement from the defense alliance NATO for years and has been one of Denmark’s most sensitive points in terms of being able to live up to joint contributions.
The official goal is still to have the brigade ready in 2032, but the hope with the advances is that it can already be ready two years earlier.
For most capacities, this is an advance of approximately two years, and for some capacities, this is an advance of approximately five years.
The money has already been allocated in the Acceleration Fund, which contains 50 billion kroner in the years 2025-2026.
“Whether we strengthen existing capabilities, advance procurement or build new ones, it is all with the single purpose of strengthening the Armed Forces’ combat power as quickly as possible,” says Troels Lund Poulsen.
As recently as three months ago, he announced that the construction of the army’s 1st brigade would be brought forward by three to five years.
The advancement of the procurement for the heavy brigade is being done on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence.
“It is very positive that we are receiving both ammunition and additional capabilities earlier than planned. This strengthens our opportunities to train, develop and operate as a heavy brigade with high combat power,” says Brigadier General Michael Thøgersen, commander of the 1st Brigade.
1.4 billion kroner is allocated for stockpiling ammunition and 0.8 billion kroner for sanitation.
An additional 1.25 billion kroner is allocated to digital leadership capacity, electronic warfare and armored personnel carriers.
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