The Danish Defence concealed critical information about its army’s readiness from the public and Parliament, potentially shielding the government from scrutiny and criticism. A suppressed article from 2020 revealed the army’s struggle to meet NATO requirements and its inability to deploy a combat-ready brigade against a potential Russian attack.

The article, commissioned for the Defence’s magazine “Honnør,” highlighted significant shortcomings in the army’s capabilities. Brigadier General Henrik Lyhne, then-commander of the brigade, stated it was “unlikely” the brigade would be equipped with necessary air defense systems and deemed it impossible to lead the brigade into battle without such protection. He also indicated that the brigade would not be ready by 2024 as promised, with a readiness period of 180 days.

The suppressed article further revealed critical shortages in logistics and ammunition. Lyhne emphasized that only a third of the brigade could be supported with necessary logistics and that Denmark lacked sufficient ammunition reserves. Despite these alarming issues, the Social Democratic government continued to assert that the brigade would be ready for NATO deployment in 2024.

The decision to suppress the article raises concerns about a “culture of untruth” within the Defence Ministry. Lars Bangert Struwe, Secretary-General of Atlantsammenslutningen, suggests that individuals may have been hesitant to disclose the true situation for fear of damaging their careers.

The construction of the 1st Brigade was deemed the Defence’s most important task since the end of the Cold War. Tasked with defending NATO against potential Russian aggression, the brigade was intended to consist of 4,000 soldiers equipped with tanks, artillery, combat vehicles, logistics, and air defense.

The Defence Command defends its decision by saying that “all articles that are published in Honnør are part of an editorial selection process in which considerations of relevance, topicality and overall impression play a role.”