The new approach follows a slew of government announcements this year to accelerate the military’s transformation.

Denmark’s military procurement organisation – Materiel and Procurement Agency – has launched a new initiative to improve and expediate acquisitions with industry.

The so-called ‘proposal form’ essentially enables both local and international defence companies to propose their equipment to the Danish Armed Forces to solve specific tasks, the procurement agency announced on 28 April.

This will enable the military to rapidly acquire kit, while also ensuring they are aware of the latest technology in industry, the agency said, adding that it will also help to identify possible synergies across submitted proposals.  

The platform, which forms part of the ‘Acceleration Fund’, can be continuously updated based on the military’s evolving requirements.

Launched back in February, the DKK50 billion (USD7.2 billion) Acceleration Fund is part of the country's ongoing efforts to transform its military. Another defence spending package was announced that month, earmarking an additional DKK70 billion (USD9.8 billion) in the 2027-2033 period. 

Following this, in April, Denmark unveiled a new DKK4 billion (USD608 million) ‘Navy Plan’ to urgently acquire new maritime equipment. This includes 21 new vessels for the Marine Home Guard, which will support the Royal Danish Navy with maritime surveillance, and four military “marine environment and mine-laying vessels”.

Along with acquiring equipment, the country is also driving the development of novel procurement and acquisition strategies. It’s highly regarded ‘Danish model’ is one such initiative, which directly funds Ukrainian manufacturers, rather than donating from their own stockpiles.

This helps alleviate production pressures within Europe and the depletion of existing stockpiles, while funding the development of Ukraine’s indigenous defence industry.