Denmark orders first French VL MICA air defense systems to intercept missiles across key areas.

On July 24, 2025, the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (FMI) signed a contract with MBDA France for the acquisition of two VL MICA fire units. This purchase is part of the initial phase of building a ground-based air defense (Jordbaseret Luftforsvar, JBL) capacity in Denmark. The acquisition was approved following a recommendation by the Chief of Defence and falls under the Accelerationsfonden established to expedite military procurement.
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Each VL MICA launcher holds four missiles and can engage up to four targets in six seconds. The system is also capable of intercepting threats at distances up to 20 kilometers and altitudes of 30,000 feet. (Picture source: Danish MoD)

The contract, signed in July 2025, involves refurbished systems and aims to achieve operational effectiveness by the end of 2026. The VL MICA system will be delivered by mid-2026 and will be operated by approximately 30 soldiers per fire unit. A 25 percent industrial offset obligation is attached to the contract. This procurement is part of a broader acquisition plan that also includes NASAMS and IRIS-T SLM systems and follows a political agreement signed on 30 April 2024 under the 2024–2033 defence settlement, allocating 19 to 25 billion kroner to build Denmark’s JBL. This effort responds to the lack of ground-based air defense capacity in Denmark since the retirement of the HAWK system in 2004.

From then until the start of the war in Ukraine, Denmark relied solely on fighter aircraft and naval vessels for air defense. The new acquisition is expected to deliver an interim air defense effect while a permanent solution is being developed. The aim is to reestablish a national JBL capability, with short-range systems such as VL MICA and NASAMS forming the initial layer. The VL MICA units will be integrated with the existing leased NASAMS system and a planned IRIS-T SLM system, which will be acquired through the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). A long-range solution, either the Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG or the American Patriot PAC-3 MSE, is expected to be selected in 2025 and to be operational by 2028.

The VL MICA, produced by MBDA France, is a vertically launched short-range surface-to-air missile system designed for 360-degree defense. It is capable of intercepting targets such as guided bombs, cruise missiles, helicopters, UAVs, and aircraft. Each missile weighs 112 kg, measures 3.1 meters in length, and is 160 mm in diameter. It includes either an imaging infrared (IR) or active radar (RF) seeker. The system has a range of up to 20 km and can reach altitudes of up to 30,000 feet. Each launcher holds four missiles and is designed for salvo firing, allowing it to engage four different targets in six seconds. Deployment time is ten minutes, while reloading takes fifteen minutes with two operators. The system includes a sealed container, has a shelf life of 25 years, requires no preventive maintenance other than a five-year check, and includes built-in testing and remote monitoring functions.

A VL MICA fire unit consists of a Platoon Command Post (PCP), a tri-dimensional radar mounted on a separate vehicle, and three to six vertical launchers also mounted on vehicles. The Tactical Operations Center (TOC) performs command, control, and coordination functions, including real-time engagement, system monitoring, mission planning, and communication with higher command levels. The system is fully ITAR-free and based on air-to-air MICA missiles. It is designed to function independently or as part of a larger air defense network. In peacetime, these units will be stationed at Skalstrup and Skrydstrup Air Bases but can be deployed flexibly based on operational needs. In a crisis, the mobility of the system will allow it to be repositioned based on threat assessment and protection requirements for military and civilian infrastructure.

The decision to acquire VL MICA was made following an assessment of ten offers from suppliers in Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Türkiye, and Israel. The three selected systems, NASAMS, VL MICA, and IRIS-T SLM, were chosen based on operational performance, delivery time, NATO interoperability, and supply security. The Danish Ministry of Defence stated that the interim acquisition of three European systems contributes to the development of the European defense industry and addresses urgent air defense gaps. The decision-making process was accelerated, bypassing standard tender procedures. The Danish Chief of Defence and the Chief of FMI confirmed that the rapid acquisition was necessary due to the security environment and might lead to higher costs, estimated at 10 to 15 percent above normal procurement prices. Recruitment and training of personnel are taking place in parallel with the acquisition, and the units are expected to become operational as systems are delivered between late 2025 and 2027.

JBL systems in Denmark are being developed to provide both point defense and area defense. Short-range systems like VL MICA and NASAMS will be capable of defending critical points such as bridges and military units, while the long-range system will protect larger population areas and critical infrastructure. Short-range systems are defined as capable of engaging targets at distances from 5 to 50 kilometers. Long-range systems are designed to engage threats beyond 50 kilometers, including some types of ballistic missiles. The current setup will provide Denmark with a multi-layered capability, integrating truck-mounted and air-transportable systems capable of NATO network integration. Denmark also contracted Rheinmetall to deliver 16 Skyranger 30 very short-range air defense systems on Piranha V vehicles between 2026 and 2027 to counter drones and helicopters at low altitudes.

Since early 2024, Denmark has increased its defense spending significantly, with 50 billion kroner allocated via the Accelerationsfonden for urgent acquisitions and a total of 120 billion kroner earmarked for military modernization through 2033. This includes the purchase of CV9035 MkIIIC vehicles from Sweden and expanded support for Ukraine. Denmark’s defense policy now prioritizes the rapid build-up of operational capabilities due to increased threat perceptions in the Baltic region and concerns over future U.S. involvement in European defense. NATO’s NATINAMDS framework will provide Denmark with integrated air and missile defense through data sharing, coordinated sensor coverage, and shared response planning. Denmark’s ground-based systems will contribute to this structure by offering national assets with NATO-certified interoperability. VL MICA, IRIS-T SLM, and NASAMS are compatible with this framework, and their deployment will mark the first reintroduction of ground-based air defense on Danish soil in over twenty years.