Denmark Plans to Create a Reserve of up to 180,000 Soldiers in Case of War
Denmark is considering the possibility of forming a mobilization reserve of up to 180,000 servicemen in the event of war or prolonged crisis situations. This was reported by DR citing defense policy documents.
According to the publication, this goal is an ambition of the Danish Armed Forces and a recommendation of the Chief of Defense Michael Gildgaard, who proposes creating a new mobilization forces system.
Documents from the Ministry of Defense available to DR speak of a large-scale restructuring of the country's defense model through significant budget expenditures. It is noted that strengthening the mobilization component is considered key to the army's ability to staff units during prolonged crises and wars.
The proposed model envisions forming mobilization forces from fully trained conscripts who will undergo a new 11-month military service. After completion, they will remain in the reserve and be available for call-up until the age of 65.
During the first ten years after completing service, such soldiers are planned to be called up once for repeated assemblies or training lasting 10–15 days. The documents state that implementing this model will require legislative changes and may have socio-economic consequences.
It is also foreseen that up to 13,000 conscripts may be called to military service annually. This, according to estimates, corresponds to more than one-fifth of the youth cohort, considering that some individuals are usually deemed unfit for service.
It is separately noted that after 10 years in the reserve, former conscripts will be transferred to the category of senior soldiers. In addition, the mobilization reserve is planned to be expanded also through former career military personnel, retrained conscripts, and individuals over 65 years old.
Ultimately, these two components are expected to form mobilization forces numbering up to 180,000 people in the long term.
The Danish Ministry of Defense estimates that under the new system, by 2040 in the event of a crisis or war, the country will be able to deploy about 40,000 mobilized soldiers.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel t.me/sudua and to Google News SUD.UA, as well as to our VIBER and WhatsApp, our page on Facebook and on Instagram to stay informed about the most important events.
