Denmark Expands Military Service to Include Women Amid Rising Security Concerns
Danish women now required to register for conscription at 18 as country seeks to bolster defenses and meet NATO targets.
COPENHAGEN — Denmark has expanded its military service to include women, marking a significant shift in the Nordic country's approach to national defense amid heightened security concerns across Europe.
As of Tuesday, Danish women face the possibility of being called up for 11 months of mandatory military service when they turn 18, following changes in the law that came into effect.Under new rules passed by Denmark's parliament, both men and women turning 18 will be required to register for potential conscription.
The process begins with recruiting volunteers; those who do not volunteer will then be selected through a lottery system.
This change also extends the period of conscription from four months to 11 months for teenagers.Previously, women were allowed to participate in military service on a voluntary basis starting at age 18.
The expansion is expected to increase the overall number of individuals serving annually from approximately 4,700 to 6,500 by 2033.Denmark's decision follows the lead of neighboring countries such as Sweden and Norway, which have also introduced conscription for women in recent years.
This move is part of a broader military strategy that includes increasing defense spending.
In March, the government announced a DKK 40.5 billion (approximately £4.3 billion or $5.9 billion) increase in defense spending over the next five years to meet NATO targets.The Danish military currently comprises about 9,000 professional personnel.
Colonel Kenneth Strom, head of the Danish military's conscription program, emphasized that the decision is politically motivated and based on the current security climate.
He stated that the goal is to enhance combat capabilities across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.One volunteer, Katrine, expressed support for the change, stating that given the current global situation, it is necessary to have more conscripts, and women should contribute equally alongside men.
This development reflects a broader trend among European nations seeking to bolster their military capabilities in response to geopolitical tensions.
As of Tuesday, Danish women face the possibility of being called up for 11 months of mandatory military service when they turn 18, following changes in the law that came into effect.Under new rules passed by Denmark's parliament, both men and women turning 18 will be required to register for potential conscription.
The process begins with recruiting volunteers; those who do not volunteer will then be selected through a lottery system.
This change also extends the period of conscription from four months to 11 months for teenagers.Previously, women were allowed to participate in military service on a voluntary basis starting at age 18.
The expansion is expected to increase the overall number of individuals serving annually from approximately 4,700 to 6,500 by 2033.Denmark's decision follows the lead of neighboring countries such as Sweden and Norway, which have also introduced conscription for women in recent years.
This move is part of a broader military strategy that includes increasing defense spending.
In March, the government announced a DKK 40.5 billion (approximately £4.3 billion or $5.9 billion) increase in defense spending over the next five years to meet NATO targets.The Danish military currently comprises about 9,000 professional personnel.
Colonel Kenneth Strom, head of the Danish military's conscription program, emphasized that the decision is politically motivated and based on the current security climate.
He stated that the goal is to enhance combat capabilities across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.One volunteer, Katrine, expressed support for the change, stating that given the current global situation, it is necessary to have more conscripts, and women should contribute equally alongside men.
This development reflects a broader trend among European nations seeking to bolster their military capabilities in response to geopolitical tensions.
