Denmark wants to conscript more people for military service - including women, for the first time

Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark

Denmark is poised to expand its military conscription program to include women and extend the duration of service for both genders from four months to eleven months, announced Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday.

Frederiksen emphasized that the goal is not to incite conflict but rather to prevent it, highlighting the government's aim for gender equality in military service.

Currently, Denmark boasts approximately 9,000 professional troops alongside 4,700 conscripts undergoing basic training, with plans to augment the conscripted force by 300 individuals, reaching a total of 5,000.

As a member of NATO and a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, Denmark remains committed to bolstering its defense capabilities. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen clarified that while Russia may not pose an imminent threat, Denmark is taking preemptive measures to safeguard its security.

Conscription in Denmark typically involves physically fit men aged over 18, serving for around four months, although not all are required to serve due to sufficient volunteers. In 2023, female volunteers constituted 25.1% of conscripts.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen outlined that implementing the new system would necessitate legislative adjustments, expected to occur in 2025 and take effect in 2026.

The evolving security landscape in Europe underscores the need for a comprehensive defense strategy, noted Lund Poulsen, advocating for an inclusive recruitment approach encompassing all genders to fortify the nation's defense capabilities.

Under the proposed plan, conscripts would undergo five months of basic training followed by six months of operational service, inclusive of supplementary training.

Denmark's initiative mirrors actions taken by neighboring Sweden, which reinstated military conscription for both men and women in 2017, citing heightened security concerns.

Similarly, Norway mandated conscription for both sexes in 2013, aligning with evolving security imperatives in the region.