Denmark Boosts Air Defence with IRIS-T System Purchase

European Nations Expand Cooperative Air Defence Initiative

Denmark has become the eighth nation to acquire Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T SLM missile system, bolstering the cooperative European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) just days after Slovenia secured additional units.

ESSI Gains Momentum

The ESSI programme, significantly advanced in 2023, now counts twelve participating countries. These include Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. Switzerland joined as the fifteenth signatory in 2024.

Broadening European Security Cooperation

Launched by Germany in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, the initiative has rapidly expanded its membership to 24 nations. Turkey and Greece were the latest to join the collaborative security effort in 2024.

Slovenia’s Recent Acquisition

On August 1, Slovenia announced its purchase of two more systems as part of the ESSI effort, highlighting the ongoing commitment among European countries to enhance shared air defence capabilities.

Contextualizing Air Defence Needs

The expansion of ESSI reflects a broader European trend in strengthening collective security. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), European nations increased their military spending by 13% between 2022 and 2023, the largest increase in two decades (SIPRI 2024).