Danish Armed Forces |News and updates

[Saithan]

FMI with rapid acquisition: combat drones for the Army​

The Danish Ministry of Defence's Materiel and Procurement Agency (FMI) has acquired and handed over five Danish drone types to the Army, some of which are designed for direct attacks against the enemy. The acquisition has been carried out quickly and with inspiration from the war in Ukraine.
March 12, 2025 - 12:00 PM

FMI has recently acquired new drones for use in training and gaining experience at the Intelligence Regiment in Varde. Photo: Tue Skals/Forsvaret

By Kathrine Rose, FMI COM

The soldiers in the Intelligence Regiment in Varde have got their hands on new equipment. More precisely, five new types of drones that FMI has acquired for the Army. Modern drone technology has over the years become an increasingly integrated part of what characterizes a modern defense. Not least the war in Ukraine, which envoys from the Defense Command have visited to gain experience.

Captain Johan from the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Capability Center is, as one of FMI's drone experts, very pleased that the soldiers on the front lines are getting drones in their hands.

"Drone technology is developing rapidly, and therefore it is satisfactory that we can acquire new drone types that operational users can get their hands on and get to know. Then the skills must be developed and maintained. When possible, we can deliver new, modern drones. This is important with equipment where technology is developing at a high speed," explains Johan.

We can see that drones and autonomous systems are playing an increasingly important role on the battlefield. That is why I am pleased that the Army's skilled employees now have the opportunity to train and improve their skills in the use of drones.
- Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen

The Intelligence Regiment has been issued with five different types of drones, all with different functions and tasks. What the five types of drones have in common, however, is that they have all been purchased from Danish suppliers. A total of four suppliers together form the supply chain for the new drones, which will help build the Army's operational capabilities.

Five new drone types have been delivered in Varde, all with different functions. Photo: Tue Skals/Forsvaret
Knowledge sharing still plays a role
FMI experts benefit from knowledge sharing and shared experiences in the drone fieldin many forums.

"The faster we acquire and deliver equipment to the operational users, the faster we can also get feedback on the experiences they have with the delivered equipment. The end user's experiences with the drones are important for our future work, because through the dialogue we can focus on the operational needs that we want to meet," explains Johan.

At the Intelligence Regiment in Varde, it is now a matter of getting to know the new equipment and seeing how it lives up to the tasks the regiment is responsible for. All this knowledge that Johan and the rest of the colleagues at FMI will also incorporate in the future in the drone acquisitions that are part of building up the Danish defense's combat power.

Speed in the machine
It is not only the technology in the field that is moving at a high pace. FMI has acquired the drones with a short delay. The acquisition process has taken about three months to complete: Focusing on speed is an assignment FMI has received from the political level.

"We are in the process of a historic build-up of the Danish Armed Forces: it is absolutely crucial that we learn from the expensive lessons that the Ukrainians are gaining on the battlefield right now. And we can see that drones and autonomous systems are playing an increasingly important role on the battlefield. That is why I am pleased that the Danish Army's skilled employees now have the opportunity to train and improve their skills in the use of drones. This is an important prerequisite for the defence of the future," says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.

Since the Danish suppliers, who together supply the five different types of drones, were able to deliver within a short timeframe, the operational users can already start training and practice. This is intended to increase awareness of and the need for the different types of drones. Below you can read more about what characterizes the five drone types.

Once experience has been gained with the new drones at the Intelligence Regiment in Varde, these can be used to acquire drones for other units in the Army. Photo: Tue Skals/Forsvaret

FMI med hastig anskaffelse: kampdroner til Hæren

Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse (FMI) har anskaffet og overdraget fem danske dronetyper til Hæren, heraf nogle designet til direkte angreb mod fjenden. Anskaffelsen er foregået hurtigt og med inspiration fra krigen i Ukraine.

www.fmi.dk

 

[Saithan]

Chief of Defense visits FMI: Speed is crucial​

Chief of Defence, General Michael Hyldgaard, visited the Ministry of Defence's Materiel and Procurement Agency in Ballerup today, Friday. Here, the Chief of Defence (FC) had the opportunity to discuss the Defence's needs with FMI's top managers, address the employees gathered in the canteen and look at various items of equipment.
March 28, 2025 - 2:00 PM

Chief of Defence, General Michael Hyldgaard visited FMI on Friday, March 28, 2025. Photo: FMI KOM

In his speech to FMI employees, FC presented his visions for strengthening the existing defense as well as introducing new capabilities to increase combat power. FC also took the opportunity to thank all employees for the good work done every day at FMI.

The Chief of Defence spoke to FMI employees during his visit. Photo: FMI KOM
The head of FMI, Lieutenant General Per Pugholm Olsen, was pleased with today's visit:
The Chief of Defence and I are in dialogue several times a week, where we meet and discuss the many different areas in which FMI can support the Defence. I am pleased that FC has now also had the opportunity to meet some of my managers and employees, who are the ones who are now working hard to support the operational units.

During the visit to FMI, Chief of Defence, General Michael Hyldgaard, had the opportunity to look at various items of equipment. Photo: FMI KOM
FMI has recently initiated several major acquisitions that play an important role in building a robust defense with increased combat power.

• In March 2025, FMI signed a contract for the acquisition of new Naval Strike Missiles. The missiles are an important step in the modernization of the Navy's capabilities.
  (Read more here).
  
  
• In December 2024, FMI signed the contract for the procurement of 115 new infantry fighting vehicles (IKK) for the Army, as well as a Mid-life Update on existing IKKs. The 115 new IKKs are part of the construction of the Army's heavy brigade. (Read more here).
  
  
• In September 2024, FMI signed the contract for the acquisition of air defense for the heavy brigade in the form of 16 turrets for Piranha 5 personnel carriers. The air defense is an essential part of the brigade's structure and increased combat power. (Read more here).

Forsvarschefen på besøg i FMI: Hastighed er afgørende

Forsvarschef, general Michael Hyldgaard har i dag fredag været på besøg hos Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse i Ballerup. Her havde forsvarschefen (FC) lejlighed til at drøfte Forsvarets behov med FMI’s øverste chefer, tale til medarbejderne samlet i kantinen samt se på...

www.fmi.dk

 

[Saithan]

Denmark is talking about AD systems, and while having big and heavy systems are cumbersome, I think that Short and Medium range AD systems with modularity could be a good solution. Perhaps event something like Gürz.

I believe that having AAW Frigates/Corvette could be a good solution for covering and mobility.

I am thinking Denmarks Geographic location doesn't require much investment into Naval force for defense. And Denmark has built Frigates in the past mostly to live up to NATO missions and such. Which is another reason I think the Navys sparingly supplied with modern ships.

Perhaps a FAC with AAW capabilities could serve as well, but let's see.