Denmark has purchased MBDA France’s VL MICA air defense system, according to a statement released by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (FMI).
The contract, signed as part of the Danish military’s accelerated investment strategy, will deliver two “fire units” of the VL MICA surface-to-air missile system.
The acquisition is part of an early-phase effort to establish an operational air defense system by 2026. According to the release, this step follows a government decision made just over a month ago to prioritize a fast-track buildup of ground-based air defense, reflecting the growing importance of territorial protection amid increasing geopolitical tensions.
“The contract with MBDA France is an important step toward reestablishing a Danish ground-based air defense capacity,” said Jan Toft, head of FMI’s investment division. “We are already in full preparation to implement the VL MICA system once it arrives in Denmark.”
Toft added that these preparations include recruiting and training personnel, procuring support equipment, and planning the logistics needed to operate and sustain the system. “This task runs in parallel with the setup of the leased Norwegian NASAMS system, which is also part of the initial acquisition phase,” he said.
According to FMI, the procurement is being carried out under the Accelerationsfonden, a Danish defense fund aimed at quickly reinforcing national security priorities. The VL MICA system was selected based on recommendations from the Chief of Defense and is expected to complement Denmark’s broader efforts to enhance national and allied defense readiness.
MBDA’s VL MICA is a vertical-launch short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to engage a wide variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and precision-guided munitions. It is deployed by several European armed forces and is often chosen for its modularity and ease of integration.
The release underscores that the goal is not only to build up national capabilities but also to ensure that Denmark can contribute effectively to NATO’s integrated air and missile defense framework.
FMI said the systems are expected to reach operational status no later than 2026, with preparations for training and infrastructure already underway.
The Danish Ministry of Defence has not disclosed the value of the contract.
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