Denmark and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) have reached an agreement for the acquisition of four General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian medium altitude, long endurance drones. These drones will enhance Denmark’s and its allies’ operational capabilities.
Milestone for Danish Surveillance
The Danish Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the agreement as a „milestone in the building of Danish surveillance capabilities in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.”
Deliveries Scheduled for 2028-2029
Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2028 and 2029. The package includes three ground control systems.
New Monitoring Capabilities
„The drones give us a completely new ability to monitor, respond and share information with our NATO partners,” said Col. Klaus Qvist, head of the air military division at the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation.
Enhancing European Security
Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized the importance of Europe doing more to ensure its own security, calling the acquisition „a crucial step in that direction.”
Arctic Capabilities
GA-ASI noted that the SkyGuardian provides „pole-to-pole satellite control and de-icing capabilities to enable missions in the harsh conditions of the Arctic in support of Denmark and its NATO Allies.”
Versatility for Civilian Operations
The MQ-9B’s Detect and Avoid System allows it to fly in unsegregated airspace for domestic civilian operations, making it highly versatile for operations from Denmark.
Strengthening Surveillance in the Arctic
The acquisition traces back to Denmark’s 2021 Agreement on Arctic Capabilities to strengthen surveillance across the region, taking on new significance amid geopolitical tensions.
Central Role in Danish Preparedness
The drones will play a central role in Danish preparedness in the Arctic, the North Atlantic, and the Baltic Sea region, contributing to real-time situational awareness in peacetime and during crisis management.
Norway Considers MQ-9B Purchase
Norway may follow Denmark’s lead and purchase MQ-9B aircraft. Oslo has already begun studies to examine how it would introduce a new, long-range, aerial maritime surveillance drone into its forces in the high north and has asked the US for information about suitable options.
Other European Orders
In Europe, the MQ-9B has been ordered by Belgium, Poland, and the UK.
