The Arctic fleet needs to be upgraded. But how?

A new naval plan for the Arctic and the North Atlantic will soon be launched. A billion-dollar plan that will retire worn-out ships and improve defense at home.

Svendborg Værft A/S, 1991, is written on a green copper sign on the deck of the inspection ship Vædderen.

Svendborg Shipyard A/S, 1991

The 34-year-old ship is one of a total of four ships that patrol the waters and along the coasts of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

However, that time is soon over, as the ship – along with the other three – will be retired.

– It is a ship that has sailed for many years, and which of course gets worn out, says electrical officer Alexander, who has sailed on the Vædderen for a total of one year.

Last names of participants

In this article, we have chosen not to include the last names of some of the cast members of Vædderen. This is out of concern for their privacy and safety.

In this article, we have chosen not to include the last names of some of the cast members of Vædderen. This is out of concern for their privacy and safety.

KNR knows the full identity of the participants.

KNR knows the full identity of the participants.

As part of the technical division, he walks around the ship and down into the engine rooms with his flashlight on a daily basis and is responsible for ensuring that everything works as it should.

– Many of our systems are older. There are many spare parts that are not produced in the same way anymore and have to be specially manufactured, he says.

Since the autumn, the Danish government, together with the Greenlandic Government and the Faroese Government, has been negotiating which tasks the Defence Forces will carry out in the Arctic and the North Atlantic in the future.

Including which ships will be included in the new fleet plan, which will help upgrade the Navy.

The first partial agreement for the defense in the Arctic and North Atlantic was presented on January 27 this year. Here, the politicians announced that, among other things, they had agreed to purchase three new Arctic ships, which will replace the almost 40-year-old Thetis-class ships that are currently sailing here.

Defense Agreement for the Arctic and the North Atlantic

The first partial agreement for the Defence in the Arctic was presented on January 27, 2025. The agreement runs until 2033.

14.6 billion kroner has been provisionally allocated, which will, among other things, go to three new Arctic ships, two long-range drones for surveillance and several land-based radars.

In addition, more young people in Greenland will be admitted to Arctic Basic Training in Kangerlussuaq.

On April 22 this year, the first part of the naval plan for the Navy was presented. The purchase list included a total of 26 ships that will help improve safety and defence at sea.

However, the plans for the navy and defence in the Arctic are still under negotiation. We will most likely learn much more about the full number of ships and equipment within the next few months.

The first partial agreement for the Defense in the Arctic was presented on January 27, 2025. The agreement runs until 2033.

14.6 billion kroner has been provisionally allocated, which will go towards, among other things, three new Arctic ships, two long-range drones for surveillance and several land-based radars.

In addition, more young people in Greenland will be admitted to Arctic Basic Education in Kangerlussuaq.

On April 22nd this year, the first part of the naval plan for the Danish Navy was presented. The purchase list included a total of 26 ships that will help improve safety and defense at sea.

However, the plans for the navy and defense in the Arctic are still under negotiation. The full number of ships and equipment will most likely become much clearer within the next few months.

– We are also aware that the security situation has changed, and we must take that into account, said Naalakkersuisoq’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivian Motzfeldt (S) at a press conference where the partial agreement was presented.

– For me, the acquisition of new Arctic ships has been a big priority. I know what a big role they play. They mean a lot to the safety of every Greenlander, she said.

Major investments in sight

But the partial agreement is only the tip of the iceberg. Chapter two of the Defense Agreement – including the naval plan for the Arctic – is scheduled to be ready before the summer holidays.

We do not yet know what exactly will be included in it – and what requirements the Greenland government has for the plan.

At the beginning of the year, Vivian Motzfeldt (S) mentioned that three ships were not enough, and recently she told KNR that security here largely depends on better monitoring of the enormous areas around Greenland – especially in the east and northeast.

– In January, we concluded the first part of the new defense agreement with Denmark, and we are now facing the next part this summer with greater implementation. It will ensure increased surveillance in areas that have so far lacked sufficient control, said Naalakkersuisoq for Foreign Affairs and Research.

– It’s not just about ships, but also about satellites and drones. We’re talking about capabilities that can identify and respond faster to incidents, so we can immediately understand what’s happening, she said.

The first part of the Arctic defense agreement also states that surveillance of Greenland will be increased with more satellites, ground-based radars and long-range drones. Drones that will “occasionally” be based in Kangerlussuaq.

The plans for the fleet and the new ships are something that the electrical officer on the inspection ship Vædderen finds exciting to follow. Although he enjoys sailing with Vædderen.

– Many of us humans are creatures of habit. But I have no doubt that these will also be some great ships, says Alexander and continues: 

– Getting out on new ships will be a pleasure.

Series: Future Defense in the Arctic

A robust defense in Greenland and the Arctic is central to security in the West, both Trump and politicians here and in Denmark have said time and again. A billion-dollar investment in the navy is therefore close to being launched, and the worn-out ships patrolling in Greenland and the Faroe Islands must be replaced.

KNR has visited one of the old ships that will soon be retired.