Norway has decided to assist Denmark with personnel and materiel to address potential drone threats in connection with the international summits in Copenhagen (København, capital of Denmark) on 1–2 October. The operation is conducted in collaboration with the Danish Defence.
– Denmark is a close neighbour and a NATO country. When Denmark requests such support, it is important for us to step up. We demonstrate with this our solidarity with Denmark and our ability to contribute to common security in Europe. Denmark's security is also our security, says Norway's Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik in a press release from the Norwegian government.
The support is provided following a formal request from Denmark ahead of the meetings, which include an informal EU summit and a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC). For security reasons, the government does not disclose details about the capabilities included in the Norwegian contribution.
According to the Norwegian Armed Forces headquarters, the Norwegian Defence has worked intensively on the preparations, and coordination is taking place directly with the Danish Defence.
– The contribution will not affect the Armed Forces' daily operations or readiness, says Major General Gjert Lage Dyndal, Deputy Chief of the Operational Headquarters, in a press release from the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The background is several major meetings in Copenhagen on 1–2 October, including an informal EU summit on European defence and support to Ukraine, as well as a meeting of the European Political Community with participants from a total of 47 countries. The agenda includes drone threats, hybrid influence, and the security situation in Europe. In the days leading up to the meetings, the Danish Defence has confirmed several observations of drones at military installations, including Flyvestation Skrydstrup and the Jydske Dragonregiment barracks in Holstebro.