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POLICY TOPIC

Defence & NATO

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 upended Danish defence policy. The defence budget has since doubled, and Denmark met NATO's 2% target for the first time in 2024.

SUMMARY

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 upended Danish defence policy. The defence budget has since doubled, and Denmark met NATO's 2% target for the first time in 2024. Defence budget 2024: DKK 56 bn (Forsvarsministeriet 2024). Defence spending (% of GDP, 2024): 2.4% (NATO 2024).

KEY FIGURES

DKK 56 bn
Defence budget 2024
2.4%
Defence spending (% of GDP, 2024)
94%
Danish NATO support

See statistics in the charts below ↓

EVIDENCE BASE

Denmark spends 2.4% of GDP on defence in 2024, thereby meeting NATO's 2% target for the first time.

ESTABLISHED CONSENSUSForsvarsministeriet / NATO 2024

The total defence budget has risen from roughly DKK 24 billion (2019) to DKK 56 billion (2024) -- a doubling in five years.

ESTABLISHED CONSENSUSFinansministeriet 2024

94% of Danes support NATO membership -- one of the highest approval rates in the alliance.

ESTABLISHED CONSENSUSGallup / DR 2023

STATISTICS AND DATA

Danish defence budget (DKK billions)
020406024 mia. kr.25 mia. kr.26 mia. kr.30 mia. kr.40 mia. kr.56 mia. kr.201920202021202220232024
CONTEXTThe defence budget has doubled in five years -- primarily in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The increase is extraordinary in historical terms and reflects a fundamental shift in Danish security policy. NATO's 2% target (of GDP) is now met, and broad political majorities are discussing 3.5% as the next goal. It is important to understand that a larger defence budget is not automatically translated into greater combat capability in the short term -- capacity-building takes time.

PARTY POSITIONS

Importance shows how central this topic is to each party's platform.

Relevant

Under Mette Frederiksen: shifted from traditional defence restraint to active support for 3.5% of GDP and full backing for Ukraine.

Important

Top priority. Troels Lund Poulsen serves as Defence Minister. Supports 3.5% of GDP by 2033 and full NATO commitment.

Relevant

Clearly pro-NATO and strongly pro-Ukraine. Inger Stojberg is one of the most prominent NATO voices in parliament.

Secondary

Backs support for Ukraine but is sceptical of rapid military build-up and wants to prioritise diplomatic solutions in parallel.

Relevant

A strong defence voice. Alex Vanopslagh has profiled himself on NATO engagement and significant rearmament.

Important

Strong defence profile. Lars Lokke Rasmussen supports rearmament and NATO fully.

Core topic

Defence and NATO are the absolute top priority. Wants to reach 3.5% of GDP on defence as quickly as possible and send more aid to Ukraine.

Peripheral

Critical of military build-up. Wants diplomatic solutions and is sceptical of increased NATO commitments.

Relevant

Pro-Ukraine and pro-NATO but wants diplomatic initiatives in parallel with rearmament.

Relevant

Pro-NATO and wants a strong national defence with a focus on Danish sovereignty and border surveillance.

Peripheral

Sceptical of military build-up. Prioritises diplomacy, peace negotiations and UN-based solutions.

Relevant

Wants a strong national defence but is sceptical of commitments that give international organisations control over Danish foreign policy.

SOURCES

[K1]Forsvarsministeriet / NATO 2024: Danmark bruger 2,4% af BNP på forsvar i 2024 og opfylder dermed NATO's 2%-mål fo…
[K2]Finansministeriet 2024: Det samlede forsvarsbudget er steget fra ca. 24 mia. kr. (2019) til 56 mia. kr. …
[K3]Gallup / DR 2023: 94% af danskerne støtter NATO-medlemskabet – en af de højeste tilslutningsprocen…
[S1]Forsvarsministeriet 2024: Forsvarsbudget 2024: 56 mia. kr.
[S2]NATO 2024: Forsvarsandel af BNP (2024): 2,4 %
[S3]Gallup / DR 2023: Dansk NATO-støtte: 94 %
[P]DanPol: Party positions based on official party programmes and public statements.
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