Denmark To Buy Long-range Weapons To Anticipate Russian Threats

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy/PHOTO via Instagram @mette

JAKARTA - Denmark will have long-range precision weapons, after years of cutting its military budget, to counter Russia's threats to Europe.

This armament was prepared although there was no risk of direct attack on the Nordic country.

This year, Denmark is increasing its military budget to address Russia's massive post-invasion of serious shortages to Ukraine by 2022.

"There is no doubt that Russia will be a threat to Europe and Denmark over the years to come," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

The acquisition could include missiles and drones capable of hitting targets in enemy territory, said Troels Defense Minister Lund Poulsen.

He did not mention how much money the government would spend on this effort or specify what weapons would be purchased.

The NATO member said last week they would spend 58 billion Danish (US$9.20 billion) on the European-made air defense system, the biggest arms purchase they had ever made.

"The war in Ukraine demonstrates the importance of having the ability to retaliate or attack deeply, as well as having layered air defenses integrated along with ground-based air defenses," said Poulsen.