Denmark has officially expanded its military draft to include women, marking a major shift in conscription policy that had previously applied only to men. The change took effect on July 1, 2025, following legislation passed in June. Women turning 18 are now entered into the national draft lottery, placing them on equal footing with male citizens. This move comes amid heightened security concerns across Europe and a push to meet NATO defense targets.
The Danish government is responding to what it calls a “current security situation,” referencing Russia’s continued aggression in the Baltic and Arctic regions. While Denmark does not share a border with Russia, officials have cited sabotage incidents and increased military activity in nearby waters as justification for the expansion. The draft was originally scheduled for 2027 but was accelerated by 18 months.
Defense spending is climbing. In March, Denmark announced a $5.9 billion increase over five years. That figure was revised in June to $7 billion, with the goal of raising defense spending to over 3% of GDP. The country currently has about 16,600 uniformed personnel. The new conscription model aims to boost annual service numbers from 4,700 to 6,500 by 2027, and eventually to 7,500 by 2033.
The duration of compulsory service is also changing. Starting February 2026, conscripts will serve for 11 months instead of the current four. That includes five months of basic training and six months of operational duty. Officials say the longer term is necessary to produce combat-ready personnel who can contribute meaningfully to NATO operations.
Women already make up roughly 24% of Denmark’s military recruits, but until now, all female participation was voluntary. Under the new system, volunteers are accepted first, and remaining slots are filled by lottery. The draft is now gender-neutral. There are no restrictions on roles for women. Those who meet physical standards will be eligible for combat positions.
Sources:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/denmark-expands-military-conscription-women-115913304.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/denmark-women-conscription-1.7574028
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-army-women-draft-russia-b2779336.html