Denmark reinforces Arctic and North Atlantic surveillance with four US-made MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones
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On July 22, 2025, Denmark signed a contract to acquire four long-range MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems through NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), following a request from the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI). The agreement includes not only the four drones but also three ground control stations, training for Danish operators, maintenance, and necessary equipment. The drones are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2029. The acquisition is partially funded by the Accelerationsfonden and other pre-existing political agreements. The procurement is intended to increase Denmark’s surveillance capacity in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions and forms part of Denmark’s broader contribution to NATO and European security initiatives.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones selected for Danish service are designed for medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) missions and are capable of conducting ISR operations for over 40 hours without interruption. (Picture source: General Atomics)
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian has a wingspan of 24 meters and a fuselage length of nearly 12 meters, giving it the appearance of a small aircraft, although it is unmanned and lacks a cockpit. The system is capable of long-endurance operations exceeding 40 hours and is designed to operate in various weather conditions while maintaining persistent surveillance over large and remote areas. It is equipped with advanced ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) payloads, including Lynx Multi-mode Radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors. The MQ-9B is also fitted with General Atomics’ Detect and Avoid system, automatic takeoff and landing capability, and open architecture that allows future integration of additional technologies or mission equipment, including electronic warfare or maritime patrol kits such as SeaGuardian variants.
The drones will operate in both national and international airspace, requiring certification for integration into civil airspace under NATO STANAG 4671 and other aviation regulations. Their ability to integrate with civilian air traffic control systems stems from compliance with international airworthiness standards and the use of a certifiable ground control station. The MQ-9B is the first remotely piloted aircraft system designed from the outset to meet these requirements. Ground operators are provided with a full traffic picture comparable to that seen in a crewed aircraft, enhancing situational awareness. These capabilities have been developed in coordination with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and the aircraft has already been selected for service by other NATO members, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Belgium.
According to FMI’s air division chief, Colonel Klaus Qvist, introducing this type of unmanned system into Danish service is a technically complex process. By acquiring the MQ-9B through NATO’s NSPA framework, Denmark gains access to shared experiences, solutions, and operational standards from other countries already operating the platform. The decision not only allows Denmark to avoid initiating a standalone integration effort but also ensures interoperability with NATO partners. This approach is aligned with broader NATO objectives to streamline logistics, training, and sustainment across multiple member states. Other countries have already implemented modifications to adapt the MQ-9B to Arctic environments, such as engine anti-icing systems and cold-region communications equipment, which Denmark will also apply to its drones.
The SkyGuardian drones are expected to play multiple roles in Danish operations. In addition to military surveillance tasks, they will be used in non-combat missions such as environmental monitoring, search and rescue support, and national intelligence gathering. Their operational range and endurance make them suitable for patrolling the vast airspace over Greenland and surrounding maritime zones. These areas are considered strategically important due to climate-related changes, increased activity in the High North, and Denmark’s responsibilities within the Kingdom of Denmark’s defense policy. The drones are designed to operate in austere and uninhabitable environments, and the integration of cold-weather-specific systems, including Inmarsat’s LAISR (L-band Airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance) for long-range Arctic communications, will be essential for reliable data transmission in such regions.
Before the MQ-9Bs enter service in Denmark, Danish personnel will undergo training in the United States to become familiar with the aircraft’s systems, mission execution, and maintenance procedures. This training will precede full operational capability and is expected to ensure safe and effective use of the platform upon arrival. The procurement includes structured training programs as well as operational support packages, allowing Denmark to build internal capacity during the lead-up to initial operating capability. Once deployed, the drones will be able to provide real-time situational updates, both during peacetime and crisis management operations. Integration into Denmark’s air and maritime surveillance frameworks is planned to support national and alliance objectives.
The acquisition follows debates about Europe’s ability to develop autonomous surveillance capabilities. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that the evolving security situation demands that European countries develop greater capabilities independently of external suppliers. He noted that the MQ-9B acquisition supports both Danish and broader European security objectives and reinforces Denmark’s contributions to NATO. Defence Chief Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard emphasized the importance of timely implementation, describing the acquisition process as essential to the rapid development of Danish military readiness. The purchase comes at a time when delays in European drone programs, such as the Eurodrone, have led to alternative procurement strategies, including the selection of mature systems like the MQ-9B. These four drones are intended to become an integral part of Denmark’s Arctic surveillance and ISR posture by the end of the decade.
Denmark’s Arctic and North Atlantic strategy is shaped by its geopolitical responsibilities within the Kingdom of Denmark, encompassing Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and its role within NATO. This strategy is centered on securing sovereignty, ensuring early warning, and contributing to NATO’s northern flank surveillance and deterrence posture. The High North is increasingly viewed as a zone of military interest due to intensified Russian maritime and aerial activity, growing interest in undersea infrastructure, and the potential opening of new shipping lanes. Strategically, Denmark’s responsibilities over Greenland and the Faroe Islands give it control over key parts of the GIUK gap, a chokepoint of strategic relevance for detecting and tracking Russian submarines and aircraft transiting between the Arctic and the North Atlantic, which the MQ-9B can do.
Maintaining persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage over these vast areas is critical for detecting low-signature threats and supporting NATO’s maritime domain awareness. With increasing international interest in the Arctic due to climate change, resource competition, and strategic shipping routes, long-endurance UAVs such as the MQ-9B SkyGuardian respond directly to these objectives by providing a continuous presence across vast and sparsely populated zones, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid dissemination of intelligence to Danish and allied command structures. This capacity strengthens Denmark’s ability to contribute to NATO deterrence, support allied reinforcement flows in crisis scenarios, and ensure national decision-makers have early and credible situational awareness in a region of increasing geostrategic competition.
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On July 22, 2025, Denmark signed a contract to acquire four long-range MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems through NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), following a request from the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI). The agreement includes not only the four drones but also three ground control stations, training for Danish operators, maintenance, and necessary equipment. The drones are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2029. The acquisition is partially funded by the Accelerationsfonden and other pre-existing political agreements. The procurement is intended to increase Denmark’s surveillance capacity in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions and forms part of Denmark’s broader contribution to NATO and European security initiatives.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones selected for Danish service are designed for medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) missions and are capable of conducting ISR operations for over 40 hours without interruption. (Picture source: General Atomics)
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian has a wingspan of 24 meters and a fuselage length of nearly 12 meters, giving it the appearance of a small aircraft, although it is unmanned and lacks a cockpit. The system is capable of long-endurance operations exceeding 40 hours and is designed to operate in various weather conditions while maintaining persistent surveillance over large and remote areas. It is equipped with advanced ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) payloads, including Lynx Multi-mode Radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors. The MQ-9B is also fitted with General Atomics’ Detect and Avoid system, automatic takeoff and landing capability, and open architecture that allows future integration of additional technologies or mission equipment, including electronic warfare or maritime patrol kits such as SeaGuardian variants.
The drones will operate in both national and international airspace, requiring certification for integration into civil airspace under NATO STANAG 4671 and other aviation regulations. Their ability to integrate with civilian air traffic control systems stems from compliance with international airworthiness standards and the use of a certifiable ground control station. The MQ-9B is the first remotely piloted aircraft system designed from the outset to meet these requirements. Ground operators are provided with a full traffic picture comparable to that seen in a crewed aircraft, enhancing situational awareness. These capabilities have been developed in coordination with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and the aircraft has already been selected for service by other NATO members, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Belgium.
According to FMI’s air division chief, Colonel Klaus Qvist, introducing this type of unmanned system into Danish service is a technically complex process. By acquiring the MQ-9B through NATO’s NSPA framework, Denmark gains access to shared experiences, solutions, and operational standards from other countries already operating the platform. The decision not only allows Denmark to avoid initiating a standalone integration effort but also ensures interoperability with NATO partners. This approach is aligned with broader NATO objectives to streamline logistics, training, and sustainment across multiple member states. Other countries have already implemented modifications to adapt the MQ-9B to Arctic environments, such as engine anti-icing systems and cold-region communications equipment, which Denmark will also apply to its drones.
The SkyGuardian drones are expected to play multiple roles in Danish operations. In addition to military surveillance tasks, they will be used in non-combat missions such as environmental monitoring, search and rescue support, and national intelligence gathering. Their operational range and endurance make them suitable for patrolling the vast airspace over Greenland and surrounding maritime zones. These areas are considered strategically important due to climate-related changes, increased activity in the High North, and Denmark’s responsibilities within the Kingdom of Denmark’s defense policy. The drones are designed to operate in austere and uninhabitable environments, and the integration of cold-weather-specific systems, including Inmarsat’s LAISR (L-band Airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance) for long-range Arctic communications, will be essential for reliable data transmission in such regions.
Before the MQ-9Bs enter service in Denmark, Danish personnel will undergo training in the United States to become familiar with the aircraft’s systems, mission execution, and maintenance procedures. This training will precede full operational capability and is expected to ensure safe and effective use of the platform upon arrival. The procurement includes structured training programs as well as operational support packages, allowing Denmark to build internal capacity during the lead-up to initial operating capability. Once deployed, the drones will be able to provide real-time situational updates, both during peacetime and crisis management operations. Integration into Denmark’s air and maritime surveillance frameworks is planned to support national and alliance objectives.
The acquisition follows debates about Europe’s ability to develop autonomous surveillance capabilities. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that the evolving security situation demands that European countries develop greater capabilities independently of external suppliers. He noted that the MQ-9B acquisition supports both Danish and broader European security objectives and reinforces Denmark’s contributions to NATO. Defence Chief Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard emphasized the importance of timely implementation, describing the acquisition process as essential to the rapid development of Danish military readiness. The purchase comes at a time when delays in European drone programs, such as the Eurodrone, have led to alternative procurement strategies, including the selection of mature systems like the MQ-9B. These four drones are intended to become an integral part of Denmark’s Arctic surveillance and ISR posture by the end of the decade.
Denmark’s Arctic and North Atlantic strategy is shaped by its geopolitical responsibilities within the Kingdom of Denmark, encompassing Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and its role within NATO. This strategy is centered on securing sovereignty, ensuring early warning, and contributing to NATO’s northern flank surveillance and deterrence posture. The High North is increasingly viewed as a zone of military interest due to intensified Russian maritime and aerial activity, growing interest in undersea infrastructure, and the potential opening of new shipping lanes. Strategically, Denmark’s responsibilities over Greenland and the Faroe Islands give it control over key parts of the GIUK gap, a chokepoint of strategic relevance for detecting and tracking Russian submarines and aircraft transiting between the Arctic and the North Atlantic, which the MQ-9B can do.
Maintaining persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage over these vast areas is critical for detecting low-signature threats and supporting NATO’s maritime domain awareness. With increasing international interest in the Arctic due to climate change, resource competition, and strategic shipping routes, long-endurance UAVs such as the MQ-9B SkyGuardian respond directly to these objectives by providing a continuous presence across vast and sparsely populated zones, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid dissemination of intelligence to Danish and allied command structures. This capacity strengthens Denmark’s ability to contribute to NATO deterrence, support allied reinforcement flows in crisis scenarios, and ensure national decision-makers have early and credible situational awareness in a region of increasing geostrategic competition.
