Denmark's expanded conscription programme, which now includes women for the first time, has seen its service period extended from four to 11 months, with Princess Isabella among the first 1,600 recruits. The NATO ally launched the expanded military service in August, aiming to develop combat power "as fast as possible," according to Colonel Kenneth Strøm, head of Denmark's conscription programme.
Extended Service Period Boosts Capabilities
Col Strøm told the Express that the increased service period means conscripts are now able to contribute more as they are "fully fit" and "fully integrated" within military units. "When you have the extended period from four to 11 months, you are actually able to use the conscripts within functions that are more specialised," he explained. "And by that, also free up permanent personnel that could solve even more specialised tasks."
Previously, conscripts could only help on "very few" operational duties. The service period is split into five months of basic training followed by six months of additional training and operational service. New opportunities include joining a drone platoon in the Special Operations Command.
New Facilities and Recruitment
Extra instructors and additional infrastructure have been introduced for the surge. Temporary facilities, described as "flexible pavilions" that can be used as accommodation, offices, canteens, changing rooms, classrooms and more, have been set up across Denmark's defence estate. Col Strøm said conscripts claim they are "even better" than the existing permanent facilities.
Under the new scheme, all Danes — male and female — turning 18 are required to register for an assessment for potential military service. Volunteers are recruited first, with a lottery system used to fill the gaps. Currently, all conscripts are volunteers. The intake is expected to rise to 7,500 each year by 2033, up from 5,000. With a population of just 5.9 million, this is the equivalent of around 86,000 young Britons being drafted every year.
Strategic Context and Greenland Deployments
About 25% of conscripts under the previous model were women, and Col Strøm hopes the expansion will lead to more females signing up full-time. "Obviously, we would like to have that number increased," he added.
Denmark is undergoing a major overhaul of its armed forces, with the Copenhagen government estimated to be spending 3.49% of its national income on core defence — significantly more than Britain's 2.56%. The country is spending more than £450 million revamping its navy and purchasing hundreds of sea mines. Concerns over Russia and Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, have driven the push. The US and Denmark last week announced a deal on Greenland's security.
Around 100 conscripts, who volunteered for a soft launch of the 11-month service period in February, have been deployed to Greenland to help strengthen NATO defences in the Arctic. Col Strøm said the conscripts, from Schleswig Foot Regiment, have been "very happy" with the programme.
Denmark is one of only nine NATO nations to have conscription, including Finland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece and Turkey. France and Germany are introducing forms of military service, while Britain continues to resist calls for conscription, insisting the Armed Forces remain manned by volunteers.
