Agreement on defense cooperation between the

Government of Denmark and the Government of the

United States of America

I.​ Introduction

The Agreement on Defense Cooperation between the Government of Denmark and the
Government of the United States of America represents the latest milestone in a
long-standing and deeply rooted security partnership. For more than seven decades,
the United States and Denmark have built a comprehensive network of defense
agreements that strengthen military collaboration, enhance interoperability, and
reinforce shared commitments within NATO and the international security community.

Since 1950, both nations have established a series of foundational accords, including
the Mutual Defense Agreement, the General Security of Military Information Agreement,
the Mutual Logistical Support Agreement, and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing
Agreement. These agreements have laid the groundwork for an integrated and resilient
defense relationship. The 2023 Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) expands this
foundation, providing a modern framework for U.S. forces operating in Denmark and
complementing the NATO Status of Forces Agreement. A separate arrangement
continues to guide U.S. operations at the strategically significant Pituffik Space Force
Base in Greenland.

Denmark plays a vital role as a reliable NATO Ally, contributing actively to multinational
operations, global peacekeeping missions, and international security initiatives. Danish
forces have served in Iraq, supported UN peacekeeping missions, participated in the
coalition to defeat ISIS, and provided essential capabilities to strengthen NATO’s
deterrence posture in the Baltic region. Denmark’s leadership is also evident in its
substantial assistance to Ukraine, providing military aid, humanitarian support, and
training programs to reinforce Ukraine’s defense capacity.

The defense relationship also extends to robust security cooperation and defense trade.
The United States maintains over $2.2 billion in active Foreign Military Sales with
Denmark, including advanced systems such as the MH-60R Seahawk, ALFS sonar,
SM-2 missiles, and AMRAAMs. Denmark is an active member of the F-35 Joint Strike
Fighter program and collaborates closely with the United States across arms control,
export governance, and multilateral security regimes.

Beyond military operations, Denmark contributes significantly to global humanitarian

efforts, particularly in demining initiatives in Ukraine and Iraq. Both nations also

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participate together in major multilateral exercises, such as BALTOPS, Defender
Europe, and Arctic Light demonstrating their shared commitment to regional stability
and collective defense.

Overall, the U.S.–Denmark defense partnership is built on shared values, mutual

strategic interests, and a joint commitment to ensuring security from the Arctic to the
Baltic, and across the global arena. The Defense Cooperation Agreement further
strengthens this partnership and ensures that both nations remain aligned in responding
to emerging threats and safeguarding transatlantic security.

II.​ Treaty making Process

●​ The agreement on Defense Cooperation between the Government of Denmark

and the Government of the United States of America began with a political
decision by both governments to strengthen their security partnership, followed
by formal negotiations between Danish and US diplomatic, military, and legal
teams who drafted and finalized the negotiation. The agreement was signed on
December 21, 2023 by both countries’ foreign ministers, but it did not become
official until each state completed its domestic approval procedures. In Denmark,
the government submitted the agreement to the Folketing (Danish Legislative
Department) along with an enabling bill, which went through parliamentary
process, committee scrutiny, approval by majority vote, and finally received royal
assent, thereby establishing the domestic legal basis for U.S. military operations
in Denmark. In the United States, the arrangement was handled as an executive
agreement subject to internal interagency review and notification to Congress,
rather than Senate advice and consent. After each country finalized its internal
procedures, they exchanged diplomatic notes confirming their readiness to be
bound, which enabled the agreement to enter into force. Finally, pursuant to
Article 102 of the UN charter, Denmark registered the agreement with the UN,
where it was recorded as registration number I-58819 on September 29, 2025.

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III.​ Objectives

Strengthen Mutual Defense Enhance the security partnership between

Denmark and the United States as NATO allies.

Improve Operational Establish clear, standardized rules for U.S.

Cooperation military activities, personnel, and operations on
Danish territory.

Strategic Access Provide the U.S. with access to designated

military bases in Denmark to support regional
defense and NATO missions.

Readiness & Training Facilitate joint exercises, training, and

interoperability to improve readiness of both
countries’ forces.

Boost Regional Security Enhance deterrence and defense posture in the

Baltic Sea, High North/Arctic, and North Atlantic,
regions where Denmark plays a key strategic
role.

Streamline Logistics & Streamline supply chains; permit construction,

Infrastructure maintenance, and use of military facilities; enable
pre-positioning of equipment.

Establish Legal Framework Define the legal status, taxation, customs, and
jurisdictional rules for U.S. forces to ensure
smooth operations and avoid disputes.

Crisis Response Position both nations to respond more quickly

and effectively to emerging threats or
emergencies in Europe and the Arctic.

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IV.​ Functions

●​ Allows U.S. forces to access and use designated Danish military bases for
training, operations, and support activities.
●​ Enables the storage and pre-positioning of U.S. military equipment in Denmark to
improve readiness and rapid response.
●​ Strengthens Denmark–U.S. defense cooperation and contributes to NATO’s
collective security and deterrence.
●​ Enhances joint training, interoperability, and operational coordination between
the Danish Armed Forces and the U.S. military.
●​ Protects Danish sovereignty by setting limits and reaffirming that all foreign
military presence occurs under Danish consent and control.
●​ Supports long-term strategic stability in the Baltic and North Atlantic regions by
reinforcing allied presence and cooperation.
●​ Protects Danish sovereignty by setting limits and reaffirming that all foreign
military presence occurs under Danish consent and control.

V.​ Signatory States

●​ Denmark, and the
●​ United States of America.

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VI.​ Validity of the Treaty

Entry into Force The agreement enters into force on the date
when both parties exchange diplomatic notes
confirming that they have completed their internal
procedures.

Initial Term The DCA has an initial duration of 10 years.

Continuation After Initial Term After the first 10 years, the agreement continues
to remain in force.

Termination Clause Either country can terminate the agreement after

the initial term by giving one year’s written
notice through diplomatic channels.

VII.​ Possible Termination

●​ Denmark–U.S. Defense Cooperation Agreement may be terminated for multiple
reasons. It can be dissolved by mutual consent if both states formally document
in writing their agreement to terminate the treaty. Either side may also withdraw
unilaterally by issuing prior written notice within a prescribed timeframe, which
provides a window to arrange the redeployment of personnel and equipment.
Special termination can follow breaches or failures to comply such as
contraventions of the agreement’s clauses or improper use of Danish facilities
typically after consultations. Substantial changes in domestic law or national
policy in either state may likewise justify ending the treaty when its continuation
becomes legally untenable. Lastly, exceptional situations for example war,
occupation, or major shifts in the geopolitical environment may permit either party
to suspend or terminate the agreement, subject to respect for any continuing
obligations.

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VIII.​ Summary

The Agreement on Defense Cooperation between the Government of Denmark

and the Government of the United States of America, signed in December 2023, marks
a pivotal evolution in the seven-decade-long security alliance between the two nations.
This agreement establishes a modernized framework designed to deepen defense
integration and enhance interoperability within the NATO structure. Its core provisions
facilitate U.S. military access to designated areas in Denmark, enable the
pre-positioning of defense materiel, and standardize the legal status of U.S. personnel,
thereby streamlining joint operations and bolstering collective readiness. Crucially, the
agreement is structured to fully respect Danish sovereignty, with all activities conducted
under Danish consent and oversight. The pact entered into force following the
completion of respective national procedures; parliamentary approval in Denmark and
executive action with congressional notification in the United States. The treaty was
formally registered with the United Nations in 2025.

The treaty is engineered for long-term stability, with an initial term of ten years
and automatic continuation thereafter. It incorporates a balanced termination clause,
allowing either party to withdraw after the initial term by providing one year's written
notice. This structure ensures the partnership remains responsive to the future strategic
environment while providing the predictability necessary for long-term defense planning
and infrastructure investment. The DCA is not an isolated instrument but rather the
latest milestone in a robust partnership evidenced by extensive defense trade, joint
participation in multinational exercises, and aligned efforts on international security
initiatives.

IX.​ Conclusion
In final analysis, the Defense Cooperation Agreement significantly strengthens
the transatlantic security architecture by formalizing a more agile and resilient
U.S.-Denmark partnership. It directly enhances the allied deterrence and defense
posture in key strategic regions, particularly the Baltic Sea and the Arctic High North. By
providing a clear, durable, and mutually respectful legal foundation, the DCA ensures
that both nations are optimally postured to address contemporary and future security
challenges, thereby making a substantial contribution to regional stability and the
collective defense obligations of the NATO Alliance.

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X.​ References

●​ UNTC. (2023). [Link].

[Link]
●​ Denmark and United States of America Agreement on defense cooperation
between the Government of Denmark and the Government of the United States
of America (with annex) Danemark et États-Unis d’Amérique. (n.d.).
[Link]
●​ U.S. Security Cooperation with Denmark - United States Department of State.
(2025,June 27). United States Department of State.
[Link]