Denmark eyes buying long-range precision weapons for first time

NATO member Denmark is planning to acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time as a deterrent against Russia.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen made the announcement on Wednesday but did not provide details as to the type, cost or timeline.

Frederiksen described the move as "a paradigm shift in Danish defence policy." The aim, she said, is to ensure a credible deterrence against attacks on Denmark and NATO as a whole.

According to the prime minister, intelligence assessments indicate there is no immediate risk of a military attack on Denmark, even if Russia poses a real threat to NATO generally.

Against the backdrop of Russia's long war against Ukraine, Denmark has been significantly ramping up its defence capabilities for some time.

Officials will now examine the market for precision weapons and decide the best option for Denmark's needs.

These could include missiles or drones capable of targeting threats on enemy territory, such as missile launch sites, Lund said.