Denmark

Map of Denmark

1. Nation:

The Kingdom of Denmark


2. Support to the Global War on Terror:

The overall goal for the Danish Armed Forces continues to be promotion of peace and security. This is done through prevention of conflict and war, the preservation of Danish national sovereignty and integrity, and through promotion of peaceful development in the world with respect for human rights. As such, Danish defense policy as part of Danish foreign and security policy has to reflect a number of different considerations.

International engagement is central to a successful handling of the security problems and challenges of both the present and the future. Danish security and defense policy is therefore very much characterized and influenced by developments on the international scene. Denmark is extensively engaged in both international military crisis management operations and civil emergency missions all over the world. Today, the fight against terrorism is one of the main challenges for the Danish Armed Forces.

With the Parliamental Defense Agreement covering 2005-2009, Denmark is doubling its ambition with regard to the number of Danish troops that can be deployed continuously. The ambition is to be able to maintain approximately 2,000 troops deployed from all three services by 2009. When this number is compared to the size of the Danish population (5.4 million), Denmark is among the leading countries in the world when it comes to participation in international operations. Another important aspect of the Defense Agreement is that a broad majority of the Danish Parliament is supporting the agreement. This gives an optimal foundation for the development of the Danish Armed Forces.

From September 2008, Denmark will command Task Force 150 – part of the maritime component of the Global War on Terror.


3. Support to ISAF/Operation Enduring Freedom:

Currently, the major operation for Denmark is maintaining a battle group (650 soldiers) in the Helmand Province of southern Afghanistan as part of ISAF. Denmark also contributes to ISAF HQ with staff personnel and to Kabul International Airport with both personnel and a Danish Air Force Radar Information System (DARIS), which facilitates the operations at Kabul Air Field. Furthermore Denmark has two artillery radars deployed in the Helmand Province.

In terms of PRT, Denmark supports the German PRT in Feyzabad and the Lithuanian PRT in Chaghcharan in the northern and western part of Afghanistan.

In total, the Danish contribution is 700 soldiers plus equipment. From August 2008 the Danish contributions will also include a helicopter detachment and military training teams.

Denmark has in the past deployed F-16, C-130 and Air Mobile Control Elements to Afghanistan and supported British and Swedish PRT.


4. Support to Operation Iraqi Freedom:

Today, Denmark has troops in the NATO Training mission and in the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team in Baghdad. Furthermore, Denmark has deployed Protection Teams to Baghdad in support of the Danish Embassy.

Denmark was previously engaged in the OEF with different other contributions, including a battle group deployed to Basra under the British Division.

5. Humanitarian Support to the people of Afghanistan/Iraq:

In general, Danish Humanitarian Support is made as bilateral assistance via civilian agencies, primarily DANIDA, which is an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But a considerable share of the Danish bilateral assistance is also channeled through Danish non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, Danish NGO's have achieved special status as important and competent partners for the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in implementing Danish humanitarian assistance. (See link below for details on Danish Humanitarian Assistance).

The Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is a governmental agency within the Ministry of Defence. Their objective is to ensure that the national rescue preparedness is optimized for rapid, flexible and efficient action abroad. Among the emergencies in which DEMA may assist are natural disasters and accidents; terrorist attacks; technological or industrial accidents and complex emergencies in international crisis situations. International operations thus have high priority, and a fully equipped operational task force designed according to the specific type of disaster can be deployed within 12 hours when a disaster occurs.


6. The Danish Liaison Team to U.S. CENTCOM:

The Danish Liaison Team consists of the Danish Senior Representative, Brigadier General Bo Hansen (07), two liaison officers (O4/O5) and a Master Chief Petty Officer (E9). The Danish Liaison Team mission is to coordinate operations with US CENTCOM, i.e. preliminary arrangements regarding Danish force contributions within CENTCOM's AOR in accordance with instructions from the Danish Defence Command, exchange of information as well as coordination of military flights, etc., within CENTCOM's AOR.

E-mail: tampa@mil.dk



7. LINKS: