{"id":30413,"date":"2025-07-24T07:02:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T04:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=30413"},"modified":"2025-07-24T07:02:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T04:02:41","slug":"denmark-buys-four-mq-9b-skyguardian-to-enhance-arctic-maritime-surveillance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/denmark-buys-four-mq-9b-skyguardian-to-enhance-arctic-maritime-surveillance\/","title":{"rendered":"Denmark buys four MQ-9B SkyGuardian to enhance Arctic maritime surveillance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

5 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denmark has signed an agreement to acquire four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones through NATO\u2019s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The drones would be used to carry out maritime surveillance missions in NATO\u2019s arctic front.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acquisition, requested by the Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization (FMI), also includes three certified Ground Control Stations, as well as full training and maintenance packages. This marks Denmark\u2019s largest-ever investment in long-range unmanned aerial surveillance and represents a major leap in its strategic defense posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), is one of the most advanced remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in use today. With a wingspan of 24 meters and a length of nearly 12 meters, the aircraft can operate over vast distances and endure some of the harshest weather conditions on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike manned aircraft, the SkyGuardian is piloted remotely and designed for extended endurance missions, thanks to advanced sensors, signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities, and satellite communication systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


A new era for Danish Defense<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a game-changer for Danish defense,\u201d said Colonel Klaus Qvist, Head of the Air Division at FMI. \u201cThe drones give us a completely new ability to monitor, respond, and share information with our NATO partners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denmark now joins the ranks of other European nations such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Poland, which have selected the MQ-9B for maritime surveillance and security. \u201cFirst, we earned MTC and now we\u2019ve added Denmark to the U.K., Belgium, and Poland as MQ-9B customers in Europe,\u201d said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"MQ-9B<\/a>
MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drone. (Image Credit: General Atomics Aeronautical)<\/sup><\/em>

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Designed for Arctic and maritime missions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is particularly well-suited for operations across the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Baltic regions, aligning closely with Denmark\u2019s security priorities. The aircraft features a de-icing system enabling year-round operation in sub-zero environments and includes GA-ASI\u2019s proprietary Detect and Avoid System, allowing safe integration into civilian airspace, critical for peacetime surveillance and interoperability with national aviation authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was also the first large remotely piloted aircraft to receive a Military Type Certificate (MTC) from the UK\u2019s Military Aviation Authority, which authorizes unrestricted geographic operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSecurity policy is constantly evolving, and Europe must do more for itself,\u201d said Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. \u201cThis is a decisive step in that direction. With the acquisition of four long-range drones to increase surveillance in the Arctic and North Atlantic, we are strengthening both Danish and European security, while reinforcing our NATO contribution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


NATO collaboration and joint procurement model<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The procurement is part of a broader NATO initiative to enhance cooperation and interoperability among member states. NSPA is playing a key role in facilitating joint procurement efforts, enabling European allies to pool resources, share infrastructure, and establish standardized training frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis procurement demonstrates how NSPA enables efficient, effective, and responsive multinational acquisitions for advanced, interoperable capabilities,\u201d said NSPA General Manager Stacy A. Cummings. \u201cWe are proud to support Denmark in this strategic investment for national maritime surveillance and security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udea8We are proud to support \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddf0 Denmark and other nations in the acquisition and sustainment of the #MQ9B<\/a> SkyGuardian\u00ae #RPAS<\/a> from @GeneralAtomics<\/a> Aeronautical Systems

\ud83d\udd17https:\/\/t.co\/Xtw3wmpMHz<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IQzNXgjJ1V<\/a><\/p>— NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) (@NSPA_NATO) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>