Denmark’s $614 Million Surveillance Fleet: Protecting Infrastructure and Sovereignty
In April 2025, Denmark launched an urgent plan under its naval strategy to invest approximately DKK 4 billion (around US $614 million) in a fleet of 26 multi-role vessels. This collection includes patrol ships, environmental-response vessels, and undersea-cable surveillance units, deployed to monitor critical subsea infrastructure like telecom cables and pipelines across Danish territorial waters. The push follows disruptions tied to suspected sabotage in the Baltic, including the Nord Stream pipeline, and reflects anxiety over Russia’s “shadow fleet” acting in contravention of international sanctions. Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark’s Defence Minister, described the effort as necessary in an era of rapidly evolving marine threats.
Beyond standard naval patrol, four of these vessels are earmarked for environmental duties and minelaying prevention, while 21 will support the Danish Home Guard in coastal surveillance, rescue, and port-security roles. The procurement also includes drones and sonar systems capable of underwater detection, as well as autonomous surface vessels, signalling a shift into unmanned maritime operations. Many vessels will be built domestically with NATO partners, fuelling growth across defence shipbuilding and tech industries, while reflecting Denmark’s commitment to Nordic and Baltic regional security.
Dual-Use Procurement: Security Meets Ecology and Arctic Strategy
These new craft are designed to fulfil both hard-security and ecological roles, tactical versatility that modern procurement teams must master. Equipped to manage oil spills and chemical contamination, the vessels simultaneously uphold sovereignty over critical underwater cables. Intelligence features include high-resolution sonars and drones, capable of pinpointing sabotage attempts or the presence of hostile minelayers in real time. This layered approach matches rising EU efforts to enhance submarine cable resilience via surveillance programs.
Furthermore, the Danish plan extends to Arctic operations. A separate but related front, encompassed in a broader DKK 14.6 billion ($2.05 billion) package, aims to procure new Arctic-capable vessels and significantly boost drone surveillance presence in Greenland . This Arctic investment is critical, Greenland covers a territory four times the size of France and hosts key Western straits. The surveillance fleet procurement is thus framed not just as defence, but as geopolitical safeguarding. Denmark’s procurement strategy integrates sovereignty, environment, and technology under one umbrella.
India’s Revived Mine-Countermeasure Vessel (MCMV) Programme: Securing Sea-Lanes
Meanwhile in Asia, India’s Defence Ministry has rekindled a longstanding plan to build 12 indigenous Mine-Countermeasure Vessels, demanding ₹44,000 crore (~£4.3 billion), ahead of submission to the Defence Acquisition Council for the Acceptance of Necessity. This follows increased Chinese submarine activity in the Indian Ocean and reflects strategic desire to secure ports and shipping lanes, especially vital to India’s continental trade and naval advantages. These warships will employ advanced mine-hunting sonar, non-magnetic hulls, and high-definition robotic neutralisers to detect and dispose of undersea mines, crucial in contested maritime zones.
India previously operated older minesweepers but now has none in service; interim “clip-on” countermeasure suites are a poor substitute. Once AO N is granted, the RFP process will commence, likely inviting bids from domestic yards such as Goa Shipyard Ltd and GRSE, supporting “Make in India” procurement goals. Analysts estimate a 7–8 year build timeline per vessel, with phased delivery expected post-contract signing in the early 2030s.
Strategic & Industrial Synergies across Borders
Denmark and India’s maritime plans reflect a wider global procurement trend: purpose-specific vessels that protect critical infrastructure, ensure trade security, and support sovereignty. Denmark’s fleet guards sub-aquatic cables and pipelines, pillars of digital and energy economies, while India’s MCMVs fortify vital sea-lanes against mining threats. These programmes balance capability, cost, and industrial impact.
Sources:
Wary of Russia, Denmark to spend $600 million on surveillance vessels
India revives Rs 44,000 crore plan to build warships that can detect and destroy underwater mines
