Overview: FE’s Warning of Growing Hybrid Threats
Denmark’s Defence Intelligence and Security Service (FE) has warned that the kingdom faces an uptick in hybrid threats, including more drone-related incidents targeting critical infrastructure. In a press briefing that highlighted a pattern of activity rather than isolated acts, FE noted that a “capable actor” is involved and that attribution remains difficult. The central takeaway was clear: Denmark should expect not only more drone sightings, but a broader spectrum of coercive tactics designed to test resilience, provoke uncertainty, and erode trust in security guarantees.
FE Chief Thomas Ahrenkiel emphasized that hybrid warfare operates with ambiguity. “Russia tests Denmark and pushes us,” he said, underscoring a strategic dynamic in which state and non-state actions are used in concert to strain defenses without overt escalation. The message, officials insist, is not to blame a single incident but to scrutinize the wider picture: repeated patterns, interconnected provocations, and the need for a whole-of-society response. In this framing, attribution for each drone or larm event may be unclear, but the objective—pressure and disruption—appears consistent.
What the Drone Incidents Signal for Denmark
The briefing highlighted a series of drone sightings near Danish airports and military facilities over recent weeks. While no single event has been conclusively linked to a foreign attacker, the incidents align with established hybrid warfare playbooks: the use of small, difficult-to-trace platforms to create disruption, test defense systems, and populate the information space with uncertainty. Denmark’s security apparatus is now examining gaps in detection, response timing, and interagency coordination, with attention to airspace management, civil-military cooperation, and rapid containment measures for potential threats.
Crucially, FE stressed that the threat environment is evolving. It is less about spectacular, one-off strikes and more about a sustained campaign of pressure that erodes confidence in safety and sovereignty. The emphasis on Russia as a testing ground fits into a broader European pattern, where states experiment with scalable tactics that can be deployed across regions and borders. This assessment reinforces Denmark’s role as a frontline partner in NATO’s deterrence and defense posture in Northern Europe.
Implications for Denmark’s Security Posture
For Danish policymakers, the FE briefing translates into a pragmatic call for resilience. Security measures are likely to expand beyond traditional military readiness to include critical infrastructure protection, border and aviation security, and enhanced information-sharing among agencies, industry partners, and local authorities. Investments in intelligence analytics, aerial surveillance, and targeted counter-drone capabilities are expected to be part of a broader effort to reduce vulnerability without provoking unnecessary escalation.
Public communication and risk literacy also emerge as priorities. Hybrid threats thrive on uncertainty; better transparency about defense capabilities and response plans can reduce fear and misinformation. A coordinated approach—combining deterrence, resilience-building, and rapid-consequence planning—may be required to ensure that Denmark’s strategic capabilities deter coercive actions while preserving civil liberties and civilian infrastructure.
Europe and NATO: A Wider Context
The FE findings sit within a larger European security context. Several allied nations report similar concerns about hybrid activities, drone misuse, and the challenge of attribution. Cooperation within NATO, enhanced joint exercises, and stronger protective measures around critical nodes—airports, power grids, and defense facilities—are likely to intensify. While the threat environment remains ambiguous, the consensus among Danish officials is that proactive defense, risk reduction, and swift interagency coordination are the most effective tools available.
As Denmark strengthens its defense posture, analysts expect ongoing dialogue with EU partners and continued emphasis on resilience at the community level. The goal is not only to deter aggression but to demonstrate a credible, comprehensive commitment to collective security in a Europe that faces evolving, hard-to-predict threats.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Denmark is poised to expand its monitoring of hybrid activities, invest in counter-drone technology, and align civil and military planning more closely. The overarching aim is to maintain deterrence, shorten response times, and preserve public confidence in national security authorities. In this environment, staying ahead of threats—through intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and transparent resilience-building—will be essential for Denmark and its NATO allies.
In sum, FE’s warning reflects a strategic calculus: hybrid threats are not fading, and Denmark must continue strengthening defenses, while staying adaptable to an evolving security landscape.
