Danish Naval Ships and Semco Maritime have partnered to deliver new Arctic patrol ships and frigates for the Danish Armed Forces.
The initiative is part of Copenhagen’s ongoing effort to bolster its military presence in the Arctic region near the US and Russia.
The consortium’s work will leverage Danish Naval Ships’ experience in military vessel construction and Semco’s decades of supply chain experience.
Design, infrastructure, and production of future Arctic vessels will be supported by Terma, Odense Maritime Technology, and PensionDenmark.
A majority of the work will be completed at Esbjerg in Southern Denmark due to its “good strategic location and status as a NATO port,” according to the consortium.
The first ship under this program is expected to be delivered by 2029.
“It is rare that a task makes as much sense as delivering new ships to the Danish Navy for the benefit of Danish security and Danish jobs,” Semco Maritime CEO Steen Brødbæk stated.
“We bring with us experience from the maritime area and complex offshore and infrastructure tasks, and we look forward to ensuring strong cooperation with Danish industrial and service companies across the country in order to meet the ambitions and wishes of the Armed Force.”
Focus on the Arctic
Denmark’s recently announced $2-billion strategy serves as a response to US President Donald Trump’s plan to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory in the north under Copenhagen, as well as the build-up of challenges in Europe and NATO.
This plan came after a broader investment revealed by the Nordic country following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Expanding Military Inventory
Earlier this month, the Danish Ministry of Defence collaborated with Norway to manufacture rescue boats for the Danish Coastal Rescue Service.
Last February, the Danish Home Guard accepted short takeoff and landing utility planes for domestic and international security operations.
The government also signed a framework agreement the same month to supply its warfighters with medium-type intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aerial drones for ten years.
In January, Denmark received NATO-grade patrol vessels to be used for deployments under the national police and the greater EU territories.
