Denmark plans $614 million Navy expansion amid Russian maritime threats

Denmark has announced an investment of approximately $614 million to build and procure 26 new navy vessels aimed at enhancing patrols, oil spill response, and the surveillance of undersea cables in Danish waters. This initiative comes amid heightened concerns over maritime security in the Baltic Sea, particularly following recent outages and sabotage incidents affecting regional power and energy infrastructure since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new ships, along with additional drones and sonar systems, are intended to protect critical underwater infrastructure and counter potential threats, including those posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which is accused of circumventing international sanctions. The plan is part of a broader effort to modernize Denmark’s naval capabilities and increase surveillance, following years of defense spending cuts. The government’s strategy also includes collaboration with NATO allies and further investments in advanced naval and air-defense systems. These measures reflect Denmark’s commitment to addressing evolving maritime threats and safeguarding its national and regional security interests.