The Danish naval modernisation plan is not an exception but a change of course signal

Faced with growing geopolitical tensions and threats to critical infrastructure at sea, European fleets are entering a new phase of modernisation. An example of this change is Denmark, which focuses on autonomous combat systems, new frigates and the ability to protect critical marine infrastructure – not only with a view to today, but a decade ahead.

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Strengthening the navy becomes the norm, not the exception

Although the modernisation of maritime forces in Europe was treated by many politicians as an expensive luxury a decade ago, today there is no doubt: the age of apparent stability is over, and the Baltic and North Seas are not only trade routes, but also a space of risk and geopolitical testing. Russian aggression against Ukraine, sabotageNord Stream gas pipelinesand the escalation of incidents around the maritime critical infrastructure caused the countries of the region to speak a common language – a language of deterrence and preparedness.

One example of this change is the new plan to modernise the Royal Danish Navy (Søværnet), presented byMinistry of DefenceThe Kingdom of Denmark. Its pillar is to secure sub-marine critical infrastructure, develop unmanned systems and modernise the war fleet – the construction of new frigate-class warships – all this while preparing the Navy for hybrid threat scenarios.

Underwater safety architecture

Denmark does not hide that one priority will be the purchase of a specialised water unit, supported by submarines and sonar systems, capable of long-term monitoring of pipelines and transmission cables.On DanishThere is a dense network of energy infrastructure – from gas transmission to data transmission to power cables. The destruction of even one of these elements would mean paralysis of key sectors of the economy, which in the era of information war and sabotage becomes a real scenario.

Such actions are part of a wider European trend, as is also illustrated by Polish initiatives – includingprogramLifeguardwhether the increase in the operational presence of the Polish Navy in the Baltic region is an example of which is Operation Bay, which we wrote aboutin this material.

New frigates, Arctic and environmental support

The Danish plan also involves replacing three frigate-type shipsIver Huitfeldtnew multitasking units. At the same time, the government plans to acquire three ships adapted to operate in the Arctic and North Atlantic waters – oceanic units with increased sea capacity, capable of operating under difficult hydrometeorological conditions. This shows how seriously Copenhagen takes the growing importance of North Sea waters, both in terms of security and climate.

Attention is also drawn to the decision to purchase four ships intended to protect the marine environment, which, in addition to the standard tasks of monitoring and responding to oil spills, will also be able to carry out patrol and mine control tasks. These multi-tasking units will replace current, used Supply and Seatruck ships.New platformswill be adapted to monitor critical underwater infrastructure and to carry out actions related to the defence and security of the territorial waters of Denmark. It's a bow to the so-called concept.dual-use– civil-military units, increasingly common in modern war fleets.

Signal for Europe

Although Denmark does not belong to the largest NATO states, its approach to naval transformation deserves attention. Instead ofbuild ships"for show", builds operational capabilities based on real threats – from infrastructure security to autonomous support systems. For countries such as Poland, which are also responsible for the protection of maritime critical routes and infrastructure in the Baltic Sea basin, it is a valuable lesson and a signal that the transformation of war fleets on the old continent is not an option – but a necessity.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz