An expanded class of Danish conscripts reported for training on Monday as the country anticipates dueling threats from Russia and the United States.
“Denmark is facing a new reality where the threats to our security are more changing and complex than ever before,” the country’s Ministry of Defense said. “That is why conscription is being expanded and strengthened in recent years.”
The country announced that new conscripts from the Schleswig Infantry will deploy to Greenland for an exercise this month.
The first class of expanded conscripts began service in February. Copenhagen said in 2024 that it would extend service for conscripts from four to 11 months. The country also plans to increase the program, which now applies both to men and women, from 5,000 to 7,500 conscripts annually by 2033.
Denmark runs a conscription lottery for healthy 18-year-olds, though its conscript quota is traditionally filled almost entirely by volunteers.
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<p> ” data-large-file=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/denmarks-military-conscription-expanded-and-strengthened-as-tensions-mount-with-dc-and-moscow.webp?w=696″ src=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/denmarks-military-conscription-expanded-and-strengthened-as-tensions-mount-with-dc-and-moscow.webp” alt=”Denmark’s Princess Isabella ” class=”wp-image-4672763″ srcset=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/denmarks-military-conscription-expanded-and-strengthened-as-tensions-mount-with-dc-and-moscow.webp 1024w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/denmarks-military-conscription-expanded-and-strengthened-as-tensions-mount-with-dc-and-moscow.webp?resize=300,200 300w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/denmarks-military-conscription-expanded-and-strengthened-as-tensions-mount-with-dc-and-moscow.webp?resize=768,512 768w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/denmarks-military-conscription-expanded-and-strengthened-as-tensions-mount-with-dc-and-moscow.webp?resize=150,100 150w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/denmarks-military-conscription-expanded-and-strengthened-as-tensions-mount-with-dc-and-moscow.webp?resize=696,464 696w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
Denmark’s Princess Isabella arrives for her first day to undertake conscription service, at the Garderhusarregimentet at Antvorskov Barracks in Slagelse, Denmark, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)“It is a common duty to stand guard over the Kingdom and contribute to the security of all of us,” General Michael Hyldgaard, Denmark’s chief of defense, said on Monday. “Through conscription, young people are given the opportunity to take on responsibility and make a contribution that not only strengthens the Defence Forces, but also our entire society.”
Denmark is being squeezed from both sides of the NATO alliance. Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine spurred European allies to increase defense spending and revamp military recruitment. In recent years, Denmark has also grappled with saber-rattling from U.S. President Donald Trump about taking over Greenland, a Danish territory that Trump says is critical to U.S. defense.
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Among the roughly 1,600 recruits who turned out on Monday was Princess Isabella, the 19-year-old daughter of King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark. Isabella will serve in the Guard Hussar Regiment of the Royal Danish Army.
Conscripts typically receive a monthly salary of 9,000 kroner and a 277 kroner daily allowance, roughly equivalent to $950 and $30, respectively. The Danish Royal House told local media that the princess would waive both the salary and allowance.
