Denmark is considering purchasing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing to improve surveillance in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Arctic region. This is a very interesting choice in the current geopolitical situation, especially against the backdrop of choosing SAMP/T over Patriot.
The country's Minister for Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, announced similar intentions, adding that he would like this to be done in cooperation with NATO allies to maximize the benefits. But if that does not happen, they are ready to make the purchase on their own.
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This suggests that the patrol aircraft are not intended for use against the U.S., which only a few months ago threatened to annex Greenland, but against other threats. These are certainly russia and China, which maintain constant activity in the region.
It is currently unknown how many P-8s are planned for purchase, and the cost has not been officially announced, as the proposal has not yet been approved by parliament. Meanwhile, certain media sources have estimated the cost at tens of billions of Danish kroner, equivalent to about €1.3 billion.
russia and China maintain active presence in the Arctic region in both civilian and military spheres, sometimes masking military operations as civilian. This is often considered a form of hybrid warfare, including reconnaissance, damage to underwater infrastructure, and other acts of sabotage.
Naturally, concerns about the U.S. create doubts over the advisability of buying their aircraft, as it could generate another point of vulnerability. However, there are virtually no alternatives on the market, which is why Italy is considering the Japanese Kawasaki P-1, capable of detecting both surface and underwater targets.
Such versatility is particularly important because russia has a well-developed submarine fleet, including strategic nuclear missile carriers. Therefore, compromising on capabilities makes little sense, especially as the Poseidon is equipped to deploy AGM-158 LRASM anti-ship cruise missiles.
As for possible deadlines, let's take Canada as an example, which in November 2023 announced its desire to purchase P-8s, and in March it was already known about a contract for 14 aircraft for Canada and another three for Germany with a total value of $3.4 billion, or up to $200 million per aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, which is quite promising for a potential deal with Denmark.
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