Denmark on Wednesday, the 13th of March, announced plans to draft women into the armed forces for the first time, increase the standard length of service and increase its defence budget by almost six billion US dollars over the next five years in order to meet NATO’s objectives, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
Although women in Denmark can already volunteer for military service, the government plans to introduce female conscription from 2026, making Denmark only the third European country – along with Norway and Sweden – to require women to serve in the armed forces.
The country also plans to extend conscription service from four to 11 months for both men and women.
“We are not arming because we want war. We are arming because we want to avoid it”,
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was quoted as saying, adding that the government wants to achieve “full gender equality”.
“Stronger recruitment, including full gender equality, will contribute to tackling defence challenges, national mobilisation and the manning of our armed forces,” Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen was quoted as saying at a press conference.
Last year, 4 700 people served in the military, of whom around 25% were women. This number will be increased to 5 000 per year.
The Danish Armed Forces currently have around 20 000 soldiers, including around 9 000 professional soldiers.
Denmark will also increase its military spending from the current 1.4% of GDP to 2%
in order to meet the targets set by NATO. Last year, lawmakers voted to abolish the spring holidays in order to increase military spending.
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