Denmark allocates funds to purchase additional ESSMs for navy’s frigates

To bolster the navy’s defense capabilities, the Danish Ministry of Defense has accelerated the procurement of additional Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSMs) Block 2 for the Danish Navy’s frigates.

As disclosed, approximately DKK 880 million ($133 million) has been allocated from the Acceleration Fund to purchase the new ESSM Block 2 missiles, along with the necessary support equipment.

The funding will also bring forward the delivery timeline of a number of ESSMs that had already been approved for acquisition.

“The Navy’s frigates must be ready to resist threats on land, at sea and in the air. Therefore, we are allocating funds to purchase more ESSM air defense missiles and acquire them faster, so that the Armed Forces’ combat power is increased, and the frigates can better defend themselves against threats such as enemy aircraft, drones and missiles,” said Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen.

Under the Defense Agreement 2024–2033, DKK 50 billion ($7.6 billion) has been allocated to strengthen the Danish Armed Forces’ combat readiness. Of this, DKK 25 billion is available in 2025 and 2026 through the Acceleration Fund.

An additional DKK 10 billion ($1.5 billion) per year has been earmarked for 2027–2033 to support ongoing initiatives stemming from the Acceleration Fund, including equipment purchases, infrastructure, and personnel.

The first partial agreement under the defense agreement 2024-2033 included funds to strengthen Denmark’s close air defense missile inventory on the Danish frigates. 

In April this year, Poulsen unveiled that the Danish Government plans to strengthen the defense with a new ambitious naval strategy that includes the purchase of new equipment and vessels. The strategy includes both urgent and long-term actions, with the latter aiming to establish a solid decision-making foundation over the coming months for significant decisions regarding the future expansion of the Danish Navy’s fleet.