Denmark considers drafting women amid Russian military rise

    0
    0

    In the dense forest outside Denmark’s bustling capital, 20-year-old Katrine stands with a face streaked in camouflage paint, her eyes sweeping the skyline for any sign of danger. As a young recruit, she joins her unit in June for their concluding training exercises, just 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Copenhagen, after four arduous months of preparation.

    Katrine, along with her fellow female soldiers, embarked on this journey by choice earlier in the year, as women’s participation in military service was solely voluntary, despite their eligibility for full-time roles in the armed forces since the 1970s. Now, Denmark is reshaping its military landscape by introducing compulsory service for women for the first time. Both genders can still volunteer, but a gender-neutral draft lottery will fill the remaining spots.

    “The current global situation demands it,” Katrine expressed, believing that equal participation in the military by women is both fair and necessary. A recently approved parliamentary amendment in Denmark means that women turning 18 after a specific date will enter this lottery system alongside their male peers. This change unfolds amid the backdrop of Russian aggression and increased military investments across NATO member states.

    The ripple effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are palpable even within Denmark, with lessons from the conflict influencing military training. “It makes the situation very tangible,” Katrine said. Denmark’s initiative toward gender parity in the military was initially proposed in 2024 as a comprehensive defense agreement, targeting full implementation by 2027, but the timeline has been accelerated to 2025.

    Col. Kenneth Strøm, leading the conscription efforts, highlighted, “Our current security scenario necessitates these changes.” He emphasized that boosting the number of conscripts would significantly enhance combat capabilities, playing into NATO’s collective defense strategy. With a populace of about 6 million, Denmark currently maintains around 9,000 professional soldiers, aiming to bring that to 6,500 annually by 2033, up from last year’s 4,700 through the revised conscription.

    Under existing Danish protocols, all physically capable men over 18 are eligible for mandatory service, with a portion of spots historically filled through a male-exclusive lottery. As of 2024, female volunteers make up roughly a quarter of the recruits. Anne Sofie, a volunteer, reflected on the inclusion of women in the draft. “While some newly drafted female conscripts might initially be dissatisfied, others may find the experience surprisingly rewarding,” she noted.

    The length of service will also be extended from four to 11 months, comprising five months of basic training followed by six months of active duty and additional instruction. This reform is part of Denmark’s broader military enhancement strategy.

    In February, the Danish government disclosed plans for a $7 billion fund dedicated to increasing defense expenditures, now expected to exceed 3% of their GDP this year. This fund, known as the Acceleration Fund, aids in financing portions of the conscription program.

    Denmark faces a heightened security scenario in Europe, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increased focus on the Baltic regions, where Denmark is heavily involved, noted Rikke Haugegaard from the Royal Danish Defense College. However, challenges remain, such as insufficient accommodation and potential issues with equipment and harassment. “We’re embarking on extensive infrastructure expansions to house these new recruits, a gradual process set for the coming years,” she elaborated.

    In a similar vein, in 2017, Sweden reinstated a draft for both sexes citing worsening security conditions in Europe, while Norway had already enacted a gender-inclusive conscription law in 2013.