On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark proposed increasing the Ministry of Defense budget by over 50 billion DKK over two years, which will translate to 3.2% of the country’s projected GDP. The proposed Accelerations Fund (Accelerationsfond) is expected to support this initiative. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense is set to undergo a reorganization.
Photos: Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Denmark
According to the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste), after the war in Ukraine ends, Russia will be able to rebuild its military strength within two years to a level that would allow it to wage war against one or more NATO countries.
Therefore, the Danish government is proposing the creation of an Accelerations Fund, allocating 50 billion DKK (ca. 7 billion USD) in 2025 and 2026 to implement rapid investments in building the combat capabilities of the Danish Armed Forces (Forsvaret).
Among various initiatives, the government in Copenhagen aims to accelerate investments in critical capabilities. The Accelerations Fund may also be used to provide additional military support to Ukraine. Additionally, proposals have been presented for the reorganization of certain entities within the Armed Forces Command and the Ministry of Defense, as well as the rapid implementation of effective decision-making processes.
“We will need to accelerate the pace of building the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces if we want to adapt to the changed security policy reality. Thanks to the Accelerations Fund, the military will gain a more flexible framework that allows for a faster buildup of these combat forces,” says the Danish Defence Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen. “Within two years, Russia could pose a credible threat to one or several NATO-countries if NATO does not build up its own military power in the same rate as Russia. This calls for swift, political action.”
Danish Leopard 2A7DK main battle tank
This will allow for faster deliveries of weapons to the Armed Forces, although it may also come with the risk of technical issues.
“Of course, there must be good financial management and transparency regarding the funds in the Accelerations Fund, but when speed becomes a crucial factor, we cannot avoid the fact that mistakes will be made along the way. This is a prerequisite that we must accept,” noted Minister Poulsen.
“The current security situation makes it abundantly clear that we need to invest in our defence at a much faster pace than before. All European countries must take greater responsibility for securitay in Europe. That is what Denmark is doing today. With the Acceleration Fund, we will allocate more than three percent of our GDP to defence over the next two years. This sends a clear signal to all our Allies that we understand the security challenges – and that we are ready to act now,” says Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Detailed organizational changes will be presented at a press conference at the Ministry of Defense on Thursday, February 20.
”Regeringen prioriterer Forsvaret. Da vi tiltrådte i 2022 brugte vi 1,37 pct af BNP – med dagens udspil afsættes midler svarende til 3,2 pct i 2025. Den udvikling skal vi underbygge med bedre organisering og tiltag, som skaber mere hastighed,” siger @troelslundp om dagens udspil pic.twitter.com/PalQeUScEK
— Forsvarsministeriet/Danish MoD (@Forsvarsmin) February 19, 2025