Worried about Russian aggression, Denmark makes conscription mandatory for women, boosts conscript numbers

Concerned about future Russian aggression, Denmark will introduce conscription for women and increase the number of conscripts from January 2027, Danmarks Radio and TV 2 reported.

Denmark should increase conscription and rearm against the backdrop of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, Denmark's Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said.

Every Danish political party supported the new defense bill, including the Liberal Alliance and Danish Democrats, who had earlier vetoed women's conscription.

Previously, Danish women had the option of opting out of conscription; the new bill will see women and men conscripted under the same conditions.

In effect, women will no longer be able to resign from service with a month's notice.

In 2023, women made up one-quarter of Denmark's 4,700 conscripts.

The conscripts will play a central role in Denmark's Armed Forces and strengthen the country's mobilization capacity in the face of a complex security situation that is "already emerging," Lund Poulsen said.

All parties also agreed to increase the annual number of conscripts to 7,500 and extend the term of military service from four to 11 months. These 11 months will be divided into five months of basic training and six months of operational service.

The new defense deal will come into effect after the next general election, expected on January 1, 2027.

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