The Danish Ministry of Defence has procured simulators to reinforce the skills of its current and future F-35 Lightning II operators.
The devices, called “threat emitters,” incorporate technology that mimics enemy assets seen through a live F-35 radar.
Copenhagen’s decision to integrate the realistic training solution is based on the armed forces’ recommendation to amplify handling of enemy radar threats.
This investment follows the Nordic country’s acceptance of four new F-35A jets in May from American defense company Lockheed Martin as part of its ongoing transition into a fifth-generation airborne fleet.
The latest delivery increases the government’s F-35s to 15. Six more are expected to be shipped by the end of 2026.
“I am very pleased that with this acquisition we can soon begin training in handling hostile radar threats,” Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen commented about the acquisition.
“The government has a clear ambition to accelerate the acquisitions, and this acquisition contributes to building a modern air defense more quickly, which strengthens the Armed Forces’ combat power. We can only be pleased about that.”
Maintaining Allied Synergy
Copenhagen noted that the incoming simulators will improve the interoperability between the Royal Danish Air Force and foreign counterparts, as the training machines have already been adopted by other F-35 partners, particularly in Europe.
“With this acquisition, we make it possible to participate in training exercises with our allies,” Poulsen said.
“It will both improve the skills of our pilots and support the building of the Danish Armed Forces’ F-35 capacity, which ultimately means that we contribute to NATO’s overall defense and deterrence.”
Upgrading Combat Capability
Denmark’s simulator acquisition is part of a national defense investment worth 50 billion Danish kroner ($7.6 billion) to modernize the military’s combat power.
The trainers are included in the program’s offshoot expenses, which allocates a separate 10 billion kroner ($1.5 billion) annually for equipment, infrastructure, and troop requirements until 2033.
