Danish Military Considers Drafting Women Amid Rising Russian Aggression and Increased Military Investment

HOVELTE, Denmark — Amidst the dense woods near Denmark’s capital, 20-year-old Katrine, equipped with camouflage paint, vigilantly scans the surroundings for potential threats. After undergoing nearly four months of military training, she and her unit completed their final exercises in early June at the Danish army’s barracks in Hovelte, located 25 kilometers north of Copenhagen. Katrine, along with fellow female soldiers who chose to speak anonymously for operational security, voluntarily enlisted earlier this year.

Up to this point, women in Denmark could only join the military through voluntary enlistment. In a significant policy shift, the Scandinavian country is now extending compulsory military service to women, aiming to boost recruitment among young people, while keeping open avenues for volunteering and a gender-neutral draft lottery for remaining slots. In light of the escalating global situation, Katrine believes it’s essential for women to serve alongside men.

“I think it’s only fair and right that women participate equally with men,” she emphasized. Recent legislation passed by the Danish parliament mandates that women turning 18 after June 11 will be included in the draft lottery alongside men, reflecting a response to increasing concerns over Russian aggression and enhanced military readiness within NATO. The looming threat posed by Russia has permeated training protocols.

Katrine notes the impact of lessons learned from the Ukrainian conflict, making their preparations feel more urgent. Denmark’s gender-parity reforms, originally slated for 2027, have been accelerated to spring 2025 due to current security challenges. Col. Kenneth Strøm of the conscription program supports this move, asserting that increased participation could bolster NATO’s collective defense capabilities.

Denmark aims to expand its conscript pool substantially, projecting an increase from 4,700 to 6,500 conscripts annually by 2033. Part of this initiative includes extending service duration from four to eleven months, encompassing five months of basic training followed by operational service. As Denmark enhances its military framework with a $7 billion defense fund, experts highlight challenges such as inadequate facilities and the potential for harassment as critical issues to address during this transition.