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MILITARY

Denmark begins largest military deployment in 23 years

There will be an increase in military traffic across Denmark this weekend, as the country begins the largest deployment of manpower and equipment in Europe since Kosovo in 1999, according to Denmark's Defence Ministry.

Published: 23 April 2022 11:18 CEST
Danish armoured personnel carrier
A Danish armoured personnel carrier. There will be increased military traffic this weekend, as Denmark prepares to send hundreds of military vehicles and soldiers to Latvia, as part of NATO's deterrence mission against Russia. Photo Claus Bech/Ritzau Scanpix

Hundreds of vehicles and equipment will initially be transported from Denmark’s barracks and other places to the Port of Køge, from where it will sail to Latvia next week, as part of NATO’s deterrence mission against Russia.

On Thursday, Parliament approved sending a combat battalion with up to 1,000 Danish soldiers to Latvia, and both they and their equipment and vehicles will fill the roads this weekend, the Danish Defence Ministry said.

This means increased military traffic on country roads and motorways: for example, the Training Regiment in Aalborg has to move vehicles from North Jutland via Funen to Køge.

“It is a clear signal to the Baltic countries that we take their security situation seriously,” Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said on Thursday. 

The soldiers are expected to be ready to enter NATO command from the beginning of May, to help deter potential threats in the eastern part of Europe, which borders Russia.

According to Danish military, the increase in the number of Danish soldiers in Latvia is part of an already existing collaboration with the Baltic countries.

In recent years, Denmark has carried out various military missions and training exercises with the Baltic soldiers.

In addition to the vehicles and battalion group, Denmark has also supplied NATO with a surveillance aircraft, a frigate warship and mobile air defence radar.

Back in early March, Danish military established a temporary military area at Køge Harbour, where military material has previously been shipped.

Denmark is also increasing its military equipment and weapons contribution to Ukraine by 600 million kroner, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at a briefing on Thursday after meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

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MILITARY

CHECKLIST: What supplies should you stock up on according to Danish authorities?

Every household in Denmark should stock up on certain items including food and water in case a crisis hits, Danish authorities advise.

Published: 17 June 2024 13:21 CEST
CHECKLIST: What supplies should you stock up on according to Danish authorities?

The Danish Emergency Management Service (Beredsskabstyrelsen, DEMA) has issued advice for the general public to have certain supplies at home so that they are prepared in the event of a crisis.

Currently, the checklist on DEMA’s website is only available in Danish, so a full English translation follows below.

The general population should stock up on enough supplies to last them three days should crisis hit, according to DEMA.

DEMA also outlines the type of events that could be the cause of such situations.

These can include natural events like extreme weather or human acts like cyber attacks or sabotage.

The director of the Danish Emergency Management Service (Beredsskabstyrelsen, DEMA), Laila Reenberg, said at a briefing on the recommendations that there is no need to “rush out in panic” to purchase crisis supplies.

“But when you happen to be out grocery shopping, you can gradually fill out your supplies,” she said.

Reenberg also noted that the advice is meant as guidance and one of the reasons DEMA has produced it is in response to “increasing requests from the public”.

“We are recommending this because if people can get by for three days, authorities can focus on doing what needs to be done and work on normalising the situation as quickly as possible,” she said.

Denmark is “essentially a safe and secure country,” Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said. He stressed that there is no direct military threat to Denmark currently.

But the risk of a “hybrid attack”, which could, for example, disrupt electricity supplies is genuine according to the minister.

READ ALSO: Denmark’s population advised to stock up for ‘crisis situation’

Checklist

Water

  • 3 litres per person per day
  • Additional water for pets

Food

  • Enough for three days. Should have long expiry date and be easy to prepare

Medicine and first aid

  • All medicines needed by household members
  • First aid box
  • Iodine tablets for persons under the age of 40, pregnant and breastfeeding women

Hygiene

  • Toilet paper
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Nappies, sanitary towels/tampons and other hygiene items needed by household members

Warmth

  • Blankets, duvets, warm clothing

Other essentials

  • Power bank or battery pack for mobile telephone
  • Torch
  • Batteries
  • Bank card (remember your PIN) and some cash in notes and coins (optional)
  • Candles and matches (optional)

Special requirements to consider

  • Are there children or elderly in the household?
  • Are you vulnerable to major floods? If so, do you have alternative transport available?
  • Can you get help from family, neighbours or friends?

Communication

  • Emergency FM/AM radio that is battery/wind-up/solar powered (optionally a car radio)
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