Denmark has ordered four MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. The purchase, announced Wednesday, includes three ground control stations and was facilitated by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
According to GA-ASI President David Alexander, Denmark is the latest European customer of the MQ-9B, joining the United Kingdom, Belgium and Poland. “The extensive waters of the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Baltic Sea of the Nordic countries make the MQ-9B a very effective tool for national maritime surveillance and security,” he said.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian provides multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting capabilities. The system supports both surface and subsurface scanning and can carry maritime radar systems and sonobuoy pods for enhanced monitoring capabilities. It also has de-icing capabilities for Arctic conditions and features a detect-and-avoid system for operating in civilian airspace.
The NSPA is supporting the MQ-9B’s expansion in Europe through a shared contracting framework that boosts interoperability and facilitates joint training.
The procurement aligns with Denmark’s broader strategy to enhance its maritime defense capabilities. In April, the government signed the Danish Defence Agreement 2024-2033, which focuses on fortifying the nation’s naval abilities with new vessels and unmanned systems for surveillance.
At the time, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen highlighted the “need for greater awareness of what is transpiring throughout the Kingdom of Denmark – both on and under the sea.” The agreement specifically calls for strengthening maritime surveillance of critical infrastructure and acquiring autonomous units.
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