Denmark has committed to acquiring French-Italian SAMP/T weapon systems to meet a pressing ground-based, long-range air defense requirement, opting for a European solution over Raytheon’s rival Patriot platform. The move comes amid a broader European push to bolster air defenses in response to growing concerns over Russian aggression.
$9.1 Billion Investment in Multi-Layered Air Defense
The Danish Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced a total investment of approximately 58 billion krone ($9.1 billion) for the procurement of eight long- and medium-range air defense systems. A combination of Norway’s Kongsberg-made NASAMS, Germany’s Diehl Defense’s IRIS-T, and MBDA France’s VL MICA will provide the medium-tier capabilities. This „twin track” approach aligns with Denmark’s plan to develop a multi-layered air defense network and represents the country’s largest defense investment to date. While the Danish statement doesn’t specify the SAMP/T Next Generation (NG) system, Thales confirmed the acquisition in a statement.
Ukraine’s Lessons Inform Decision
„The current security policy situation means that ground-based air defence is an absolute top priority in the development of the Danish Armed Forces,” said Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen. „Experience from Ukraine shows that ground-based air defence plays a crucial role in protecting, among other things, the civilian population against Russian attacks from the air.”
Delivery Delays Sideline Patriot
Lt. Gen. Per Pugholm Olsen, director of the Danish MoD Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), told reporters that „delivery timelines are longer” for the US-made Patriot system, justifying the decision to opt for the European alternative. Concerns about delivery delays have been voiced before, with Ukraine expressing frustration over the pace of transfers. Even Switzerland’s Patriot order from 2022 has been pushed back to allow the US DoD to backfill systems sent to Kyiv.
Transatlantic Tensions?
While Denmark has committed to other US-made defense systems like the F-35A fighter jets, the decision to forgo a lucrative Patriot procurement comes amid some tension between Copenhagen and Washington. This tension stems from former President Donald Trump’s past interest in purchasing Greenland, a self-governed territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. As previously reported by Breaking Defense, Danish Foreign Affairs Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in July that Danish officials had not held „intense” discussions with the US over the future of Greenland, respecting a „nothing about Greenland without Greenland” policy.
First EU Export Operator of SAMP/T NG
Denmark will become the first European Union export operator of SAMP/T NG, joining partner nations France and Italy who launched development of the upgraded system in 2021. The system is produced by Eurosam, a joint venture between French manufacturer Thales and European missile house MBDA. According to the manufacturer, NG serial production began last year.
