Naval News – In a controversial announcement reported by Danish outlet DR News, the Danish Chief of Defence, General Michael Hyldgaard, has recommended to the Ministry of Defence and the parties of the Defence Agreement to abandon the ongoing repair and planned upgrade of the Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class air defence frigates.

Army Recognition – The Royal Danish Navy’s flagship air defene frigate, HDMS Iver Huitfeldt (F361), is actively participating in NATO’s major live-fire integrated air and missile defense exercise, At-Sea Demonstration/Formidable Shield 2025 (ASD/FS 25). This high-stakes naval exercise, taking place throughout May off the coast of Bodø, Norway, is hosted by the U.S. Sixth Fleet and coordinated by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO). It has become the largest of its kind in the European theater this year, involving more complexity, more nations, and a broader array of threats than any previous iteration.

(Thanks to Alain)

Defense News – U.S.-based Saildrone will deploy four large unmanned surface vessels in Danish waters next month to conduct maritime surveillance missions and help protect critical undersea infrastructure.

Maritime Insight – The Danish government plans to modernise the Danish Navy with 25 new vessels, advanced unmanned systems, and a strong focus on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – The Danish Ministry of Defence has unveiled their new fleet plan, which include a short-term track to quickly strengthen certain key capabilities, as well as a long-term track looking at the major surface combatants.

Defense News – The air defense malfunctions that plagued the Danish frigate Iver Huitfeldt during its deployment to the Red Sea earlier this year have yet to be fixed, leading Danish authorities to renege their offering of having the vessel serve as the lead ship of a regional NATO force.

Marine Link – Denmark is considering ways to stop a so-called shadow fleet of tankers from carrying Russian oil through the Baltic Sea, the Nordic country said on Monday, triggering a sharp response from Moscow’s diplomats who said any such move would be unacceptable.

(Thanks to Alain)

Eurasian Times – Two decades after its last submarine, S323 Saelen was decommissioned, Denmark has refrained from resurrecting its submarine arm. However, the war in Ukraine might force it to reconsider the decision as the submarines could help counter Russia’s Baltic Sea expeditions.

(Thanks to Alain)

Defense News – New information has come to light about the state of the Danish frigate Iver Huitfeldt when it departed for the Red Sea in January, including crew concerns about inexperienced personnel on board and equipment not fully tested, according to a report released by the Danish government.

The War Zone – The Harpoon missile glitch comes amid fallout from other technical failures aboard another Danish frigate that was operating in the Red Sea.

The War Zone – A Danish frigate downed four Houthi drones during a recent Red Sea deployment, but suffered major issues with its weapons and other systems.

Naval News – Denmark sends the frigate Iver Huitfeldt on a mission as part of the international maritime coalition in and around the Red Sea to strengthen maritime security. The frigate is also expected to be missioned in a future EU-led naval mission in the area.

Defense News – The Netherlands plans to spend as much as €250 million (U.S. $274 million) on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in the North Sea to protect the cables and pipelines that crisscross the seabed off its coast.

Naval News – Denmark has begun the process of procuring systems to increase air, land, and sea presence and surveillance across its Arctic areas of interest.

AFP – A Danish naval patrol killed four pirates in an exchange of fire in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Nigeria

Defense News – A large Danish frigate was again tucked into a berth at Fells Point in mid-November, an almost common sight. Four of Denmark’s five large frigates and command and support ships have visited this Maryland port in recent years. But this visit of the Peter Willemoes was different. This time, the Danes were in the US to train up with a US Navy carrier strike group and deploy as an integral part of a battle formation.

– Defense News – For the last two weeks, more than 40 NATO ships and 60 NATO aircraft have been operating in the Baltic Sea, with Russian observers never too far behind.

– Reuters – Russia threatened to aim nuclear missiles at Danish warships if Denmark joins NATO’s missile defense system, in comments Copenhagen called unacceptable and NATO said would not contribute to peace.

– USNI News – As the U.S. Navy’s requirements and engineering communities look at upcoming ship classes and attempt to build in flexibility, they first need to decide what it means to be a “flexible ship” and how much to prioritize that flexibility.

– CIMSEC – Many critics have assailed the Littoral Combatant Ship (LCS) program for its high cost in comparison with foreign, supposedly better armed and equipped equivalents. The Danish Iver Huitfeldt and Absalon class frigates are often cited as examples of cheaper, more capable small combatants in comparison with LCS. These claims are not well researched and are based on isolated points of data rather than any systemic analysis.

– Defense News – It is striking how the now-familiar smooth, angled architecture of today’s warships, intended to reduce visual, heat and other signatures, is also somehow inherently Danish-modern. And the first thing one notices after boarding this ship is how clean and spotless everything is — almost relentlessly clean.

– AFP – A Danish and a Norwegian frigate are anchored in the Cypriot port of Limassol awaiting orders to sail for Syria and help collect part of the regime’s deadly chemical arsenal.

– Los Angeles Times – A Danish warship opened fire on a Somali pirate ship, killing two hostages and arresting 17 suspects.

– Reuters – A Danish navy ship seized a suspected pirate vessel off the coast of Somalia and freed 14 hostages on board.