The Auditor General has issued a highly critical report regarding the security of Denmark’s military areas, citing “serious deficiencies” within the Ministry of Defence over several years. This marks the harshest level of criticism the Auditor General can express, raising significant concerns about the potential consequences for national defense.

The report, a collaborative effort between the Auditor General and the National Audit Office, highlights a deterioration in security over the past five years, despite the Ministry’s awareness of these shortcomings. The Danish Parliament has been alerted to the potential repercussions of these deficiencies, which, in specific instances, have already compromised security.

According to the report, the Defence Intelligence Service assessed security as “unsatisfactory” during the period of 2020-2024, the worst possible assessment. Internal evaluations by the Ministry of Defence authorities reveal that 15 out of 18 authorities failed to meet one or more of the “most important” security requirements in 2024.

The deficiencies encompass a range of issues, including missing alarms, inadequate guarding, and insufficient soundproofing. One instance cited involves an alarm system not being located in a secure area. In another case, when an alarm was triggered by the Defence Intelligence Service, the guarding force did not respond, mistakenly assuming it was a craftsman.

Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen acknowledged the criticism in a press release, stating that he takes it “very seriously.” He noted ongoing efforts to improve and modernize the Defence’s establishments and IT infrastructure, emphasizing that security improvements are a natural part of this process.

Poulsen affirmed the importance of including protection measures for military areas in the Defence’s physical installations and ensuring appropriate protection when handling sensitive information.

The Auditor General’s role is to oversee state expenses, working with the National Audit Office to review cases. While the Auditor General is composed of six politically appointed members, the National Audit Office consists of civil servants. This specific case regarding the protection of military areas was initiated by the National Audit Office to assess the Ministry of Defence’s effectiveness in safeguarding against espionage, burglary, and theft.