Denmark will advance the implementation of its extended conscription period to February 2026, six months earlier than initially planned. Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen announced the change in a video speech coinciding with Constitution Day.

The decision to expedite the extended conscription, which was previously scheduled for August 2026, is part of a broader defense agreement. The extended conscription period will increase from four months to eleven months and will also include women starting in 2026.

Poulsen emphasized the necessity of bolstering Denmark’s defense capabilities in the face of a shifting global landscape. “We must make an effort to defend our fatherland,” he stated, highlighting the need for more individuals capable of bearing arms.

In addition to the conscription changes, the government plans to purchase the first systems for a ground-based air defense, aiming for operational readiness in 2026. A plan is also underway to establish a mobilization unit comprised of thousands of former conscripts, ready to support the Defense in times of crisis or war.

Poulsen attributed the urgency of these measures to the current global climate, citing the war in Europe, trade tensions, and instability concerning the Danish Realm. He stressed the need for rapid rearmament in Denmark and other European NATO countries, stating, “We can no longer take our freedom for granted.”

The Minister of Defence is currently in Brussels attending a meeting of NATO countries’ defense ministers.