Denmark crosses a milestone. For the first time, Copenhagen announced this Wednesday his intention to acquire long -range precision weapons, in order to strengthen his deterrence against Moscow. “Russia will be a threat to Denmark and Europe for many years”justified Prime Minister Put Frederiksen at a press conference. The equipment envisaged includes drones and missiles, already in granting in certain NATO allies, specifies AFP. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulse has confirmed that the exact type of weapons had not yet been arrested.
According to the government’s chief, these capacities will allow “To reach long -distance targets and, for example, to neutralize threats of enemy missiles”. She spoke of the possibility of hitting “Missile guide ramps and infrastructure for planes and drones”. An evolution that she herself describes as “Paradigm change” in Danish defense policy. This announcement is part of the NATO strategy aimed at that Europe is able to defend itself by its own means by 2030. “It is a question of building a credible and autonomous capacity in the face of external threats”added the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Moscow denounces a “pure madness”
The reaction of Russia was not long in coming. In a statement released on Telegram, the Russian ambassador to Copenhagen, Vladimir Barbin, deplored “Pure madness” of such a choice. “No one, nowhere, never in the world, has considering publicly threatening nuclear power. These declarations will undoubtedly be taken into account ”he said, accusing Denmark of “Prepare for a direct military confrontation with Russia”.
Questioned by public television Dr, Put Frederiksen judged these words “Clearly threatening”. “Russia is trying to dissuade Europe and NATO to defend our populations and our borders. Of course, we will not be intimidated ”she promised.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Danish social democratic government has placed the reset at the heart of its defense policy. Last week, he had already announced the purchase of eight European and medium-range anti-aircraft defense systems. The first of these systems should be operational at the end of this year, and the number of systems will gradually increase, said the ministry. The kingdom has in all investing 58 billion crowns (almost 8 billion euros) in this sector.
