According to Reuters on April 22, Denmark's Defense Minister Terrölsen said on the 22nd that Denmark will spend about 4 billion Danish kroner (about 600 million US dollars) to build and purchase 26 naval ships for patrol, oil spill response and surveillance of submarine cables.

  Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in 2022, power cables, telecommunications lines and natural gas pipelines have been interrupted many times, leaving countries along the Baltic coast on a high alert.

  NATO strengthened its military presence through frigates, aircraft and sea unmanned boats, but the "shadow fleet" used by Russia to transport oil, weapons and grains remains a concern.

  "Unlike a few years ago, the threat we are facing at sea is much more serious now. Especially we need to deal with threatening Russia, while technological developments are moving forward at lightning speed," Poulson said in a statement.

  Denmark plans to allocate approximately DKK190 billion to its military over the next 10 years after sharply cutting defense spending for more than 10 years.

  The main goal of the Nordic country is to protect submarine cables and pipelines for energy production and transportation, and to prevent the marine environment in the Danish waters from potential threats from the Russian "shadow fleet".

  The Ministry of Defense said that in addition to 26 ships, Denmark will also purchase unmanned boats and sonar systems that can monitor and identify harmful underwater activities.

  According to AFP on April 23, Denmark announced on the 23rd that it will add 5,000 military positions in the next eight years, including the establishment of a new infantry battalion. The Danish Defense Minister stressed that the security situation facing the country is "deteriorating".

  The Ministry of Defense said a new infantry battalion would be established to ensure a "continued military presence" on the strategic Baltic island of Bornholm.

  "We live in an uncertain era and it is very important to have the ability to defend Denmark in a situation where the security situation worsens. In view of this, we have given special considerations to Bornholm."

  In February this year, the Danish government announced that it would increase its defense spending by 50 billion Danish kroner in the next two years due to the increase in threats from Russia. This additional funding will bring Denmark's defense spending to 3% of GDP.

  The Ministry of Defense said the number of military personnel, including military and civilian personnel, will increase from 23,000 to 28,000. Danish media reported that the 5,000 additional positions include military and civilian positions.

  Bornholm, located south of the Swedish coast, is considered a strategic location because it is necessary to pass through it to sail out of the Baltic Sea. (Translated by Qiu Fang, Feng Xue)

[Editor in charge: Wang Jinzhi]