The UK and Denmark are holding high-level defence talks in Copenhagen today as Defence Secretary John Healey MP meets his Danish counterpart, Troels Lund Poulsen, with security in the
High North high on the agenda.
The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation between the two NATO allies on regional security, defence industry collaboration, and continued military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. Talks will also cover the role of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), as planning gathers pace for major JEF exercise activity scheduled for 2026.
As longstanding partners in both NATO and the JEF, the UK and Denmark are deepening decades of defence cooperation to counter growing threats in the Baltic Sea and the High North, including risks to critical national infrastructure. Officials say the talks reflect a shared recognition that northern Europe has become an increasingly strategic region amid heightened geopolitical tension.
Counter-drone cooperation is also expected to feature prominently, following the deployment of a specialist RAF counter-drone unit to Denmark late last year. The move came after a series of suspicious drone sightings raised concerns about surveillance and sabotage risks in the region.
Ukraine remains a central focus of the talks. Ministers are set to discuss how to accelerate deliveries of air defence systems and strengthen support as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Both the UK and Denmark are among Kyiv’s largest military backers, contributing to the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) and the Drone Capability Coalition (DCC).
The talks come as winter conditions worsen across Ukraine, with temperatures falling to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. Hundreds of thousands of people, including children and school communities, have been left without heat or power. Last week, the UK announced an additional £20 million in funding to help repair and protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The International Fund for Ukraine, led by the UK, is designed to rapidly procure military equipment for Ukrainian forces. More than £2.1 billion has been pledged to the fund so far, with significant contributions from both London and Copenhagen.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Defence Secretary John Healey said the current security environment demands a renewed focus on deterrence and alliances.
“In this new era of threat, now is the era of hard power, sure diplomacy, and strong alliances. As JEF partners and NATO allies, Denmark and the UK are stepping up on European security.
The UK has always played a leading role in securing NATO’s northern flank in the Baltic and High North, and we will continue to do so alongside our allies.
We’re cooperating more to defend and deter our adversaries, at the same time as we step up support for Ukraine – because a secure Europe requires a strong Ukraine”, - he said.
The Copenhagen talks follow last week’s meeting of JEF Chiefs of Defence and come ahead of this year’s Exercise Lion Protector. The large-scale exercise will bring together air, land and naval forces from JEF nations to train on protecting critical infrastructure, intercepting illegal vessels, countering sabotage, and strengthening joint command and control.
Hundreds of personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army are expected to deploy across Nordic and Baltic regions, underlining the JEF’s growing role in bolstering Euro-Atlantic defence and security. Photo by EPO, Wikimedia commons.