Denmark is set to require women to participate in the conscription lottery, extending mandatory military service duration and aiming to bolster preparedness for potential conflicts.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
Denmark is broadening the scope of its conscription program, significantly extending the mandatory service period and for the first time, including women in the lottery selection process. This move aims to enhance the nation’s military preparedness and deter potential aggression. Scheduled to be implemented in 2026, the mandatory military service term will be extended from four months to 11, comprising five months of training followed by six months of service.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that serving in the nation’s defense is a distinguished duty, stating, “We do not rearm because we want war. We are rearming because we want to avoid it… we propose full equality between the sexes.” The Foreign Minister clarified that while Russia does not currently pose a direct threat to Denmark, expanding military capabilities is a proactive measure to prevent potential future conflicts.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen highlighted the growing seriousness of the European security situation, underlining the need for a more inclusive recruitment strategy that encompasses all genders. Traditionally, all men in Denmark are required to undergo a physical assessment on ‘Defense Day’ to determine their eligibility for the military draft, followed by a lottery selection. Despite the large pool of eligible conscripts, Denmark’s military is relatively small, with only about four thousand individuals serving at any given time.
The new plan mandates that women aged 18 must also participate in Defense Day and the service lottery. With the service duration more than doubling and a slight increase in the number of conscripts, the Danish armed forces anticipate a significant growth in personnel. However, current service members have raised concerns about the military’s capacity to accommodate an increased number of conscripts, citing existing shortages of housing, equipment, and senior soldiers.
The Danish Broadcasting Corporation reports concerns over the feasibility of integrating more recruits without compromising the quality of military education. A military sergeant expressed doubts about the plan’s viability, suggesting it could adversely affect training standards due to resource constraints.
Denmark’s move towards a gender-neutral draft follows similar actions by Sweden and Norway in response to escalating tensions in Europe. Sweden reinstated conscription in 2017, including both men and women, while Norway became the first NATO country to conscript women in 2013. Other European nations, like Germany, are reconsidering conscription as a means to address security challenges and military recruitment issues. The UK, facing long-term recruitment struggles, has also shown interest in adopting a conscription model akin to Sweden’s.
As Denmark prepares to implement these changes, the debate continues over the best approach to ensuring military readiness and gender equality in defense roles.