Denmark to Reorient Patrol Ships Design for Arctic Operations

Denmark has decided to reorient its patrol ship design project to focus on Arctic operations, citing changes in the security situation in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic.

The decision was made by the conciliation group behind the defense settlement.

The Danish Armed Forces will now prioritize Arctic-capable ships to replace the aging Thetis-class vessels. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that the security landscape has changed since the original patrol ship design was approved in 2021, prompting a shift in focus. The new Arctic ships will require less maintenance than the Thetis class and will enhance operational capacity in Greenland and the North Atlantic.

Initially, the patrol ships were designed for Baltic Sea operations, but Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership has altered regional defense dynamics. Denmark now plans to deploy other assets, such as frigates and aircraft, for security in the Baltic Sea while strengthening its Arctic presence.

The redesign process will incorporate elements from the original patrol ship project to accelerate development. Additionally, marine environment vessels, previously part of the patrol ship plan, will now be procured separately in coordination with the Ministry of Community Safety and Emergency Management.