Submarines in the Royal Danish Navy

After twenty years, with the replacement of Thetis-class patrol frigate and rising defense budgets, discussion are occurring to bring back this weapon systems as part of its overall naval structure.

The Royal Danish Navy also participated in a joint-development by Denmark, Norway and Sweden of the Viking-Class submarine, to be built by the Viking Corporation.

When the Danish submarine programme was terminated, the Kronberg was returned to the Swedish Royal Navy on October 27, 2004, and renamed NÄCKEN[3] In addition two Tumleren class were also decommissioned.

Starting 1 January 2005, the defense agreement came into effect as approved by the Danish, and cost savings of 4 billion Dkr was achieved (about 700 million USD).

It was mentioned in the Defense Budget of 2005–2009, published in 2004, that the Royal Danish Navy's submarine weapons systems would be terminated[12] One popular concept at the end of the Cold War was the peace dividend, in which dramatic cuts, often with a questionable wisdom, meant savings but not always in efficient way.

[14] Finally, it was noted in the Defense budget of 2005–2009, which was published in 2004, that the Royal Danish Navy would terminate the submarine weapons systems.

After the Danish submarine divestiture in 2004, there was a long period of two decades of peace and in turn, major cost savings for Denmark.

However, after twenty years Danish law makers are discussing a return to submarine-based defense systems, as part of its ongoing plans for safety and security.

Seeing as Denmark has boundary disputes with Russia over the Continental Shelf north of Greenland, knowledge and potential counter-measures of Russian submarines becomes even more important for Danish maritime security.

[20] The Royal Danish Navy has announced plans to increase ASW capabilities (anti-submarine warfare), in order to counter hostile submarines in potential future conflicts.

As the NATO Defence Planning Capability Review of 2019/2020 states, Denmark faces more serious threats than in any other period since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The ASW capabilities that Denmark plans to increase, however, is mainly focused on countering hostile submarines with aerial weapons systems i.e. helicopters and fighter jets.

In addition, it is argued that having submarines in the Royal Danish Navy can increase potential partnerships and cooperation with other allied submarine-capable states.