Denmark to Create Artillery and Mortar Ammunition Reserve in Case of War

Denmark has signed a defense agreement for the rapid creation of ready reserves of mortar and artillery ammunition in case of war.

The Danish Ministry of Defense announced this on the official account.

The decision was made as part of a program to restore production at the local ammunition factory, Ammunition Arsenal (AMA), in northern Jutland. The implementation of the program was previously entrusted to the Finnish-Norwegian company Nammo.

At the national level, the formation of the reserves will be carried out by the Danish company DANAMMO. It is responsible for coordinating the gradual restoration of AMA’s production capacity. However, the current step focuses on creating operational stockpiles before the plant reaches full capacity.

The Defense Ministry’s press release did not specify the exact types of munitions, their quantities, or the contract value. It only stated that stockpiling will begin in 2026 and continue until AMA’s production capacity can meet the required supply volumes.

“Based on the experience of the war in Ukraine, procuring mortar and artillery ammunition to replenish the Armed Forces’ reserves has become a priority. I am therefore pleased that the parties that signed the defense agreement have agreed on a mechanism to build up stocks for the coming years,” Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark’s Minister of Defence, reported.

Denmark currently operates, or has on contract, two main types of artillery systems for 155 mm and 120 mm calibres. These are 19 Elbit ATMOS 155 mm self-propelled howitzers on MAN 8×8 chassis (which replaced the French CAESARs transferred to Ukraine in 2023) and 15 Elbit Cardom-10 120 mm mortar systems integrated into Piranha V 8×8 armoured vehicles.

Founded in 2023, DANAMMO aims to coordinate the production of 155 mm artillery shells, 120 mm mortar rounds, and cartridges in calibers ranging from 5.56 mm to 12.7 mm, ensuring the capability for domestic manufacture and supply.

Details on delivery schedules, technical specifications, and state funding will be released after negotiations conclude and final agreements are signed.

Militarnyi previously reported that Denmark signed a contract with the Norwegian-Finnish defence company Nammo for the production of shells.

The Danish Ministry of Defence announced it purchased the former ammunition factory Ammunitionsarsenalet – locally known as Krudten (the Powder Plant) – in northern Jutland in 2023.

Denmark had sold the centuries-old AMA plant, founded in the 17th century, in 2008 to the Spanish Expal ammunition manufacturer for €2.41 million.

The plant continued to produce weaponry and provide services to the Danish Ministry of Defense, which was one of its principal clients.