When you look at the UK and Denmark’s maritime environments, you see many of the same things: the same threats, the same challenges, and the same common goals.
David Wright, Business Development Director for Marine, recently shared his thoughts on how we can strengthen UK and Danish naval capabilities by working together, and how we’re already seeing progress through the JEF and in joint industrial initiatives.
Read David’s insights below or visit the full article and join the conversation on LinkedIn.
Shared waters, shared responsibility
“If we take a look at the threat environment, we can see that security across the North Atlantic, North Sea, Baltic and High North is interconnected. Disruption to the Atlantic Sea lines, through which NATO reinforces Europe, would have consequences for neighbouring regions. For me, shared awareness, interoperable forces and enduring naval readiness are both necessary and bilateral responsibilities of the UK and Denmark.
“Both are members of NATO, which outlines the strategic purpose and standards for both navies. Both are part of the JEF, which turns NATO’s alignment into high-readiness cooperation across Northern Europe. Together, these structures provide the trust and procedures we need to act.
“I think Nordic Warden is a good example of this in practice. The AI-enabled JEF system unifies shipping and surveillance data to identify suspicious vessels that could threaten undersea infrastructure. This interoperable technology only works because countries share information, maintain common combat procedures and respond jointly as one force via the Baltic Sentry programme.
“As fleets combine crewed platforms, autonomous systems and AI-enabled command-and-control, it’s inevitable that this shared model will become more essential for combined security.”
Joining industrial networks to turn ambition into capability
“Technology like Nordic Warden depends on partnerships between countries to operate, but its implementation and maintenance depend on partnerships between industries.
“Much like here in the UK, Denmark faces a projected shortfall of 7,700 engineers and natural-science graduates by 2030. That’s why we need cross-national industrial networks. Only then can the UK and Denmark share skills and connect infrastructure, supply chains and integration expertise, combining the scale of prime contractors with the specialisms of SMEs.
“Our work with Danske Flådeskibe now includes a Letter of Collaboration around a joint UK-Danish industrial approach to potential new frigates for the Royal Danish Navy. Separate MOUs with STORMBORN, CUBEDIN and SH Group will explore hybrid naval capabilities, autonomous systems integration and naval platform systems.
“These agreements are early steps. But they’re steps in a long-term commitment between UK and Danish companies and institutions to build and grow a shared sovereign naval shipbuilding capability through knowledge sharing, skills development and sustained collaboration.”
What does Arrowhead 140 tell us about industrial cooperation?
“Arrowhead 140 provides a compelling case for partnership, with its roots in Denmark’s proven Iver Huitfeldt design. We worked with Danish manufacturer OMT to take that design and develop it further, forming the platform that now underpins the Royal Navy’s Type 31 programme. Furthermore, it has since been adapted for Poland’s Miecznik and Indonesia’s Merah-Putih programmes.
“What is clear to see is that Danish and UK industries combined a proven foundation and knowledge with local skills, supply chains and systems to build greater commonality between allies without sacrificing national freedom of action.
“Arrowhead 140 shows how Danish innovation has helped shape UK programmes, while UK international expertise has helped shape Denmark’s future naval plans. Rather than being a story of just another design export, it’s a model for building enduring industrial capability together.”
When focussing on whether a partnership between the UK and Denmark can secure our maritime future, David concluded:
“There’s no doubt in my mind that maritime threats and technology will continue to change for years to come. Where a platform was once delivered and the job was done, our partnership must sustain and regenerate capabilities constantly.
“The existing partnership model between Babcock and OMT on Arrowhead 140 clearly illustrates that sovereignty does not mean developing everything alone. Instead, sovereignty is the freedom to maintain, upgrade and adapt capability – with the support of your allies.
“What the UK and Denmark can demonstrate over the coming years is that in a more contested world, the strongest naval capabilities will belong to nations that retain their freedom to act, while building the partnerships to act together. We’ve demonstrated this already with the Arrowhead family.”