land
Danish Defence Initiates Extended Conscription
Denmark has now initiated an extended conscription training of 11 months to strengthen operational capability and promote equality, where all individuals, regardless of gender, are called for enlistment. The updated training includes more conscripts and new specialised branches.
Today, the first recruits in Denmark began the new extended conscription training. This marks the starting point for the new arrangement according to the defence decision 2024–2033, where the training is extended to 11 months to strengthen operational capability.
– It is a significant step for equality that everyone – regardless of gender – will henceforth be called to the Danish Defence Day. It is crucial that we have a more robust and contemporary conscription in Denmark as we build up the Danish Defence, says Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen in a press release.
The first conscripts were received at the Schleswig Foot Regiment in Haderslev and Flyvestation Karup (central Denmark) on Monday. Next week, training will also commence at the Navy in Frederikshavn (northern Denmark). All 120 recruits who enlisted in Haderslev have volunteered, according to the Danish Defence (Forsvaret).
The new training includes five months of basic training followed by six months of operational service. According to the defence decision, the number of conscripts is to increase to 6,500 annually by 2033. Furthermore, everyone, regardless of gender, who has turned or will turn 18 after 1 July 2025 will be called to conscription on equal terms.
The Danish Armed Forces are also introducing new conscription tracks, including a drone platoon at the Special Operations Command. For certain positions, an extended health examination and suitability assessment are now required.
The Chief of Defence, Michael W. Hyldgaard, sees the new arrangement as important for building combat capability, according to the press release.
– We borrow young people from society for a period. This obligates us. We must roll out the new conscription safely, so that the new conscripts perceive the task as relevant and as something they can see themselves in, says the Chief of Defence.