La Armada Real Danesa (en danés : Søværnet ) es la rama marítima de la fuerza de defensa danesa . El RDN es el principal responsable de la defensa marítima y el mantenimiento de la soberanía de las aguas territoriales danesas (incluidas las Islas Feroe y Groenlandia ). Otras tareas incluyen vigilancia , búsqueda y rescate , rompehielos , recuperación y prevención de derrames de petróleo , así como contribuciones a tareas y fuerzas internacionales.
Durante el período 1509-1814, cuando Dinamarca estaba en unión con Noruega, la Armada danesa era parte de la Armada Dano-Noruega . Hasta la copenhagenización de la armada en 1801, y nuevamente en 1807, la armada fue una influencia estratégica importante en el área geográfica europea, pero desde entonces su tamaño e influencia ha disminuido drásticamente con un cambio en la política gubernamental. A pesar de esto, la marina ahora está equipada con una serie de grandes buques de última generación encargados desde el final de la Guerra Fría . Esto puede explicarse por su ubicación estratégica como miembro de la OTAN que controla el acceso al Báltico .
Los barcos de la Armada danesa llevan el prefijo KDM ( Kongelige Danske Marine ) en danés, pero esto se traduce a HDMS ( Her / His Danish Majesty's Ship ) en inglés. Dinamarca es uno de los varios estados miembros de la OTAN cuyas armadas no despliegan submarinos.
Historia [ editar ]
The geographic layout of Denmark (not including Greenland and the Faroe Islands) has a coastline to land area ratio of 1:5.9. For comparison, the figure for the Netherlands is 1:92.1 and for the United States, 1:493.2.[4] Denmark therefore naturally has long-standing maritime traditions, dating back to the 9th century when the Vikings had small but well-organised fleets. They were often based in a small number of villages, usually with a common defence agreement; Viking ships, usually of the Knarr type, were light, and therefore easy to transport from village to village over land. With time, the defence pacts gave rise to larger, more offensive fleets which the Vikings used for plundering coastal areas. In the period after the Vikings, and up to the 15th century, the fleet consisted mainly of merchant vessels. Indeed, it is said that king Valdemar Sejr had more than 1,000 ships during the conquest of Estonia in 1219. Together they carried more than 30,000 soldiers with horses and supplies.
Existen registros de una marina danesa unificada de finales del siglo XIV. La reina Margarita I , que acababa de fundar la Unión de Kalmar (formada por Dinamarca, Noruega, Suecia, Islandia , Groenlandia , Islas Feroe , Shetland , Orkney , partes de Finlandia y partes de Alemania) ordenó la construcción de una armada, principalmente para defender la unión contra la Liga Hanseática . Anteriormente, la flota nacional había consistido en embarcaciones propiedad de la nobleza y operadas por ella , pero el país como tal no tenía una armada. Por lo tanto, los primeros monarcas tuvieron que depender del servicio militar obligatoriode la nobleza, lo que no siempre fue fácil ya que la monarquía misma a menudo tenía enemigos dentro de la nobleza. La reina Margarita I dio instrucciones para que se constituyera una armada y se mantuviera bajo el control de la monarquía. La nobleza todavía tenía que proporcionar tripulaciones (que consistían principalmente en granjeros "voluntarios") para estos barcos, aunque los miembros principales de la tripulación (es decir , maestros , maestros de armas y maestros carpinteros ) podían ser empleados por el monarca. También había oficiales de educación , principalmente recaudados de la nobleza.
En el siglo XV, especialmente durante el reinado del rey Hans , el comercio danés se expandió apreciablemente, aumentando la necesidad de la entrega de mercancías. Dado que el transporte marítimo era el medio de transporte ideal en ese momento, los intereses marítimos daneses debían protegerse aún más. Al rey Hans se le atribuye el establecimiento de una flota conjunta Dano-Norwegian en 1509, lo que aumentó sustancialmente el número de tripulantes profesionales. Eran principalmente delincuentes menores, que tenían que elegir entre trabajar en la armada del rey o encarcelarlos. Recibieron una formación básica en marinería y carpintería, lo que les permitió navegar en los barcos. La responsabilidad del armamento y el combate aún estaba en manos de los agricultores reclutados. Para estos, el país se dividió en varios condados, conocidos en danés como skipæn (the term skip being related to the Danish word for ship, skib), which would later serve as the Danish dioceses. It was also during this period that dedicated naval bases and shipyards were founded. They would build, maintain and fit out the king's navy. The first record of a dedicated naval base is Bremerholmd (later Gammelholm) in the year 1500.
[edit]
The founding of the Danish navy is often viewed in Denmark as taking place on 10 August 1510, when King Hans appointed his vassal Henrik Krummedige to become "chief captain and head of all our captains, men and servants whom we now have appointed and ordered to be at sea."[5][6]
When King Frederick II was crowned in 1559, he immediately began expanding the navy. The number of bases, yards and vessels rose rapidly and substantial resources were used for new ship designs, weaponry, training and battle tactics. Sweden, which had become an independent country, dominated a large part of the Baltic Sea and threatened Danish merchant interests. In retaliation, Denmark closed the Øresund in 1568, laying the first seeds for the Scanian War (1675–1679), only eight years after the end of the second Nordic War (1657–1660), during which Denmark lost the now Swedish provinces of Skåne, Halland and Blekinge. During this period, further resources were allocated to the navy. Cort Adeler and Niels Juel led the Danish navy to a victory in the Battle of Køge Bay in 1677.
King Christian IV (crowned in 1588) continued in his father's footsteps. In the beginning of the 17th century, he considerably expanded the naval workships. In Copenhagen, where the navy resided, he built a large number of homes for crewmembers and workshop craftsmen — the most famous being Nyboder (completed in 1631) which still stands in central Copenhagen.
El teniente almirante general Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve fue nombrado comandante supremo de la marina en 1701. Elevó el estatus de la profesión naval y estableció Søkadetakademie , el predecesor de la Real Academia Naval Danesa . En 1709, Peter Jansen Wessel se unió a la marina. Más tarde se le otorgó el rango de almirante como recompensa por sus muchas victorias, las más famosas en Marstrand y Dynekilden . Más tarde fue conocido como Tordenskjold .
In 1712, Tordenskjold succeeded in burning 80 Swedish naval cruisers, which played a large part in the outcome of the Great Nordic War (1709–1720). Since Scandinavia now was at peace, the navy focused its resources on other parts of the world, partaking in the colonisation of Africa and the Caribbean. Se mantuvo una presencia naval permanente de fuerza cambiante en el mar Mediterráneo, protegiendo los intereses daneses-noruegos en la región, principalmente los comercios contra la piratería. El Escuadrón Danés del Mediterráneo tuvo numerosos compromisos menores con los Estados de Berbería durante los años 1700 y 1800. En varias ocasiones, estas hostilidades se convirtieron en acciones sustanciales. Se puede decir que algunos de los más notables son: el bombardeo de Argel por parte del Escuadrón Mediterráneo en 1770 bajo el mando del almirante Frederik Christian Kaas ; la acción del entonces capitán y futuro Consejero Privado Steen Andersen Bille en Trípoli en 1797 ; y el comandante Hans Georg Garde in a joint Scandinavian expedition in 1844 – which effectively ended the Barbary states' attacks on Scandinavian merchants in the region. A pact of neutrality was made between Denmark (including Norway) and Sweden, providing a solid basis for commercial expansion.
De Fire Søstre (English: The Four Sisters) was the name of five separate ships which served purely as merchant ships or, for part of their lives, hospital and supply ships to the Danish fleet from 1737.
Copenhagenization and rebuilding[edit]
The British, under pressure from the French in the Napoleonic Wars, became increasingly reluctant to allow Denmark to trade overseas as they believed First French Consul & General Bonaparte could benefit economically from Danish commerce. In 1801, they decided send a fleet to attack a Danish fleet, in the Battle of Copenhagen, under the command of Admiral Hyde Parker. The defence line, under the command of Olfert Fischer, put up a fierce fight, but was defeated, with the loss of 3 ships sunk and 12 captured. After the battle, the Crown Prince agreed to sign a truce with the British. In the following six years, Denmark managed to stay clear of the Napoleonic Wars, until the events leading to a second confrontation in 1807. Britain was afraid that the Danish fleet might fall under the control of Napoleon, perhaps tipping the balance in his favour. King Christian VII refused to hand over his navy to the British for safekeeping until the end of the war, and the British decided to capture the fleet by force. Copenhagen was bombarded and the king forced to surrender the fleet.[7]
En 1814, Dinamarca y Noruega se separaron de manera relativamente pacífica, después de más de 300 años juntos. Al mismo tiempo, la Flota Común se dividió en la Marina Real Danesa y la Marina Real Noruega .
La armada fue reconstruida lentamente, pero no se acercaba a su tamaño anterior. No obstante, se puso fe en la armada, y los intereses en África y el Caribe aún recibían una atención considerable. En 1845, se lanzó una expedición de investigación de dos años en la corbeta Galathea . En la Segunda Guerra de Schleswig (1864), la marina todavía era relativamente pequeña y pasada de moda. Solo unos pocos barcos de vapor estaban a mano y estos tuvieron un gran impacto en la guerra. Como resultado, se consideró necesario modernizar la marina. Cuando estalló la Primera Guerra Mundial (1914), la armada danesa era una flota muy moderna, principalmente equipada con barcos de vapor blindados y muy pocos veleros.
Período de entreguerras y Segunda Guerra Mundial [ editar ]
En el período comprendido entre las dos guerras mundiales, la armada danesa (así como el resto de las fuerzas militares danesas) tuvo poca prioridad para los políticos, especialmente entre 1929 y 1942 bajo Thorvald Stauning . Durante el primer año de la ocupación alemana (1940-1945), la marina ayudó a las fuerzas de ocupación alemanas con el barrido de minas, debido a la demanda política de mantener la infraestructura (líneas de ferry) en funcionamiento. Las tensiones entre los soldados alemanes y las fuerzas armadas danesas aumentaron lentamente y, el 29 de agosto de 1943, lograron hundir 32 de sus barcos más grandes, mientras que Alemania logró apoderarse de 14 de los barcos más grandes y 50 de los más pequeños. Esto se debió a una orden secreta, dada directamente a los capitanes de boca en boca por el comandante de la marina, el vicealmirante AH Vedel "para intentar huir al puerto neutral o de oposición nazi más cercano. Si eso no fuera posible, el barco debe hundirse en un lugar lo más profundo posible ". Más tarde, los alemanes lograron levantar y reacondicionar 15 de los barcos hundidos. Se ordenó a varios barcos que intentaran escapar a aguas suecas, y 13 lo consiguieron. [8] [9] El buque insignia de la flota, Niels Juel , intentó escapar en la Batalla de Isefjord. but the crew was forced to beach and partly scuttle her. The score for the larger vessels was therefore: 32 vessels were sunk, 2 were in Greenland, 4 reached Sweden, 14 were captured by the Germans. As for the smaller vessels: 9 "patruljekuttere" reached Sweden, 50 others were captured by the Germans.[9] By the autumn of 1944, these ships officially formed a Danish naval flotilla in exile.[10] In September 1943, A. H. Vedel was fired by order of the prime minister Vilhelm Buhl because of his hostile actions towards the Germans.
In the post-war years, Denmark joined NATO in 1949. As a result, Denmark received large amounts of material and financing through the Marshall Plan. Furthermore, several ships were purchased from the British and a number of vessels were transferred from the now disarmed German navy.
Cold War[edit]
During the Cold War, the Danish navy was rebuilt and modernised, with the main assignment being to repel an invasion from the Warsaw Pact. Typical operations requiring training were minelaying (the now disbanded minelayers of the Falster class (17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph), 2,000 GRT), were the world's largest minelayers at their time – each had a complement of 280 900 kg mines) and sting attacks with small but fast combat craft (such as the Søløven-class fast torpedo boats (54 kn (100 km/h; 62 mph), 158 GRT) and Willemoes-class missile torpedo boats (45 kn (83 km/h; 52 mph), 260 GRT) and a self-sustaining mobile missile battery (MOBA) equipped with targeting and guidance, capable of firing Harpoon missiles.[11] The Danish intelligence capabilities were also expanded and the Danish submarines trained for very shallow water operations, while a special naval force – the Danish Frogman Corps was created. The naval bases in Frederikshavn and Korsør plus the fortresses at Langeland and Stevns were created through NATO funds in the 1950s. In case of war all Danish combat vessels were assigned to NATO's Allied Forces Baltic Approaches's naval command NAVBALTAP.
Post-Cold War[edit]
Since the end of the Cold War, the navy has been in a transitional phase, from local defence to global operations, with fewer but larger vessels able to operate for long periods at sea. It has also been more self-sustaining. Under the defence agreement (1995–1999) that initiated the process, several of the old "Cold War" frigates and minesweepers were decommissioned. The squadron structure prior to this defence agreement was as follows:
- 1st Squadron = The North Atlantic Squadron (Danish: 'InspektionsSkibsEskadren' (ISE)) with 5 ocean patrol vessels (1 Beskytteren class, 4 Thetis class), 3 ocean patrol cutters (Agdlek class) and 4 icebreakers
- 2nd Squadron = The Frigate Squadron (Danish: 'FreGatEskadren' (FGE)) with 2 frigates (Peder Skram class), 3 corvettes (Niels Juel class), 14 StanFlex-vessels ( Flyvefisken class) and 6 seaward defence craft (Daphne class, decommissioned in 1991)
- 3rd Squadron = The Mine Squadron (Danish: 'MineSkibsEskadren' (MSE)) with 4 minelayers (Falster class), 2 cable-minelayers (Lindormen class) and 7 minesweepers (Sund class, decommissioned in 1999)
- 4th Squadron = The Torpedo Boat Squadron (Danish: 'TorpedoBådsEskadren' (TBE)) with 13 torpedo-/missile boats (8 Willemoes class, 5 Søløven class), 2 oilers (Faxe class) and a truck-detachment with missiles and radars called MOBA
- 5th Squadron = The Submarine Squadron (Danish: 'UndervandsBådsEskadren' (UBE)) with 6 submarines (3 Tumleren class, 3 Springeren class) and the Frogmans Corps
In the defence agreement of 2000–2004, further restructuring of the navy was ordered, as well as the decommissioning of several units. Furthermore, the only unit of Beskytteren class was donated to the Estonian Navy as Admiral Pitka. With the decommissioning of the torpedo boats, the 4th squadron was disbanded and the remnants were transferred to the 2nd squadron. Other units were also decommissioned. The squadron structure now looked like this:
- 1st Squadron with 4 ocean patrol vessels (Thetis class), 3 ocean patrol cutters (Agdlek class) and 3 icebreakers
- 2nd Squadron with 3 corvettes (Niels Juel class), 14 StanFlex-vessels (Flyvefisken class), 2 oilers (Faxe class) and a truck-detachment with missiles and radars called MOBA and a new truck-unit MLOG with shops, spare parts, mechanics, etc.
- 3rd Squadron = The Mine Squadron (Danish: 'MineSkibsEskadren' (MSE)) with 4 minelayers (Falster class) and 2 cable-minelayers (Lindormen class)
- 5th Squadron = The Submarine Squadron (Danish: 'UndervandsBådsEskadren' (UBE)) with 4 submarines (3 Tumleren class, 1 Kronbrog class – leased Swedish Näcken class) and the Frogman Corps
On 1 January 2006, a major reorganisation was carried out as a part of the defence agreement of 2005–2009 (which also put an end to the 95-year-old submarine service, with no intention of developing future submarine capability), when the former four squadrons were divided into two squadrons:[12]
- 1st Squadron – domestic affairs squadron
- 2nd Squadron – foreign affairs squadron
[edit]
[edit]
The navy headquarters was located in Aarhus, tasked to train, maintain and prepare the navy for war. Operational command in peacetime rested with the Navy Operational Command. In war the commander of the Royal Danish Navy would have assumed his appointment as "Flag Officer Denmark (FOD)" under the command of Allied Naval Forces Baltic Approaches (NAVBALTAP), which was commanded alternatingly by a Danish or German vice admiral. However Danish ships and units based in Greenland and the Faroe Islands would have come under command of NATO's Command Eastern Atlantic Area (EASTLANT), who would also have taken command of Island Command Greenland and Island Command Faroes.
Together with the German Fleet under the Flag Officer Germany (FOG), the RDN would have tried to keep the Warsaw Pact's United Baltic Sea Fleets, consisting of the Soviet Baltic Fleet, Polish Navy and East German Volksmarine bottled up in the Baltic Sea by blocking the Danish straits and thus ensuring NATOs unchallenged control of the North Sea. Additionally NAVBALTAP was to prevent amphibious landings on the Danish coast. To fulfill its mission the navy fielded a large number of minelayers and fast attack crafts. The first would have been used to mine all sealanes and potential landings beaches, while the latter would have harassed the enemy fleet with continuous hit and run attacks.
At the beginning of 1989 the Royal Danish Navy consisted of the following ships.[13]
- Royal Danish Navy, in Aarhus, commanded by a vice admiral
- Navy Materiel Command, Aarhus
- Navy Depot Service
- Navy Maintenance Service
- Navy Ammunition Arsenal
- Frogman Corps, at Torpedo Station Kongsøre
- Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, Daneborg, Greenland
- Navy Operational Command, Aarhus
- Kattegat Marine District, Frederikshavn (Maritime Surveillance Center and tactical control of sea units)
- Bornholm Marine District, Rytterknægten (Maritime Surveillance Center and tactical control of sea units)
- Frigate Squadron
- Peder Skram-class frigates: F352 Peder Skram, F353 Herluf Trolle
- Niels Juel-class corvettes: F354 Niels Juel, F355 Olfert Fischer, F356 Peter Tordenskiold
- Daphne-class seaward defence vessels (in the process of being replaced by Flyvefisken-class patrol vessels): P530 Daphne, P531 Dryaden, P533 Havfruen, P534 Najaden, P535 Nymfen, P536 Neptun (decommissioned 30 October 30, 1989), P537 Ran, P538 Rota (decommissioned 31 October 1989)
- Oiler: A559 Sleipner
- Torpedo Boat Squadron
- Søløven-class fast torpedo boats (in the process of being replaced by Flyvefisken-class patrol vessels): P510 Søløven, P511 Søridderen, P512 Søbjørnen, P513 Søhesten, P514 Søhunden, P515 Søulven
- Willemoes-class fast missile boats: P540 Bille, P541 Bredal, P542 Hammer, P543 Huitfeldt, P544 Krieger, P545 Norby, P546 Rodsteen, P547 Sehested, P548 Suenson, P549 Willemoes
- Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel: P550 Flyvefisken (commissioned 19 December 1989)
- Oilers: A568 Rimfaxe, A569 Skinfaxe
- Land-based Mobile Base (MOBA) with approximately 40 trucks, which supplied fuel, ordnance, and freshwater, and provided repair facilities outside the naval bases to the torpedo boats. MOBA also had mobile radars for tactical surveillance and target acquisition, and [14]
- Submarine Squadron
- Narwhal-class submarines: S320 Narhvalen, S321 Nordkaperen
- Kobben-class submarine: S322 Tumleren (bought from Norway and commissioned on 20 October 1989)
- Dolphin-class submarines: S327 Spækhuggeren (decommissioned 31 July 1989), S329 Springeren
- Mine Vessels Squadron
- Lindormen-class cable minelayers: N43 Lindormen, N44 Lossen
- Falster-class minelayers: N80 Falster, N81 Fyen, N82 Møen, N83 Sjælland
- Sund-class minesweepers (in the process of being replaced by Flyvefisken-class patrol vessels): M572 Alssund (decommissioned 30 November 1989), M573 Egernsund (decommissioned 31 December 1989), M574 Grønsund, M575 Guldborgsund, M577 Ulvsund (had been refitted as a minehunter, decommissioned 31 December 1989), M578 Vilsund
- Fishery Protection Squadron
- Hvidbjørnen-class offshore patrol frigates: F348 Hvidbjørnen, F349 Vædderen, F350 Ingolf, F351 Fylla
- Beskytteren-class offshore patrol frigate: F340 Beskytteren
- Agdlek-class arctic patrol cutters: Y386 Agdlek, Y387 Agpa, Y388 Tulugaq
- Barsø-class naval patrol cutters: Y300 Barsø, Y301 Drejø, Y302 Romsø, Y303 Samsø, Y304 Thurø, Y305 Vejrø, Y306 Farø, Y307 Læsø, Y308 Rømø
- Danish Naval Air Squadron, Værløse Air Base (8x Lynx Mk.80 helicopters)
- Coastal artillery, with truck-mounted AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles
- Frigate Squadron
- Navy Materiel Command, Aarhus
[edit]
Main bases:
- Holmen Naval Base
- Frederikshavn Naval Base
- Korsor Naval Base
Minor naval bases:
- Marine Station Aarhus (Danish Navy fleet command base)
- Marine Station Esbjerg (NATO reinforcements port)
- Marine Station Grønnedal in Greenland
- Marine Station Thorshavn in the Faroe Islands
- Torpedo Station Kongsøre (Frogman Corps and mine divers base)
- Lyngsbæk Pier (Naval mines depot)
Coastal fortifications:
- Stevnsfortet at the southern entrance to Øresund
- Langelandsfortet at the southern entrance to the Great Belt
Sea surveillance stations:
- Marine Station Møn
- Marine Station Gedser
- Marine Station Bornholm
Structure circa 2018[edit]
The Naval Staff (in Danish Marinestaben), led by a Rear Admiral, the Admiral Danish Fleet, is directly responsible to the Danish Defence Command. Since 2014, it has been placed at Karup Air Base.
The Danish Task Group is a headquarters tasked with commanding, educating and training maritime forces in peace, crisis and war. It is a mobile unit that is experienced in orchestrating exercises, organising insertions (search and rescue, non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief operations, etc.) and commanding naval, aerial and land-based units. Danish Task Group was created to expand Denmark's level of competency and quality of material, by participating in international maritime operations. The Danish Task Group has commanded combined maritime forces in both exercises (such as BALTOPS and Joint Warrior) and operations (Combined Task Force 150 (2008) and Combined Task Force 151 (2012)) a number of times.
Today the fleet is divided into three squadrons:
- 1st Squadron, administratively based at Naval Base Frederikshavn, handles all tasks regarding Arctic Ocean affairs, such as maritime defence and sovereignty of Greenlandic and Faroese territorial waters, surveillance, search and rescue and oil spill recovery and prevention. It has provided units for international tasks, such as the environmental recovery vessel Gunnar Seidenfaden for the cleanup after the Prestige oil spill and the ocean patrol vessel Thetis for the protection force programme of WFP chartered ships at the Horn of Africa. Vessels operated by 1st Squadron.
- 2nd Squadron, administratively based at Naval Base Korsør, is specialized in foreign affairs. It conducts exercises for participation in various international tasks, such as providing protection force, disaster relief operations and non-combatant evacuation operations. It permanently provides units for international standing maritime groups as well as supporting various maritime operations. Vessels operated by 2nd Squadron.
- 3rd Squadron, administratively based at Naval Base Frederikshavn, handles all tasks regarding domestic affairs such as maritime defense and sovereignty of Denmark, territorial waters, surveillance, search and rescue, icebreaking and oil spill recovery and prevention.
[edit]
The Naval Operational Logistic Support Structure (OPLOG), includes the naval bases in Frederikshavn and Korsør as well as several naval stations. The naval bases' task is to provide logistic support for the ships and vessels, through the OPLOGs. This includes configuration, maintaining and repairing the units. Furthermore, similar support is provided to civilian agencies (i.e. the Danish police) and allied units like the United Nations
The support is mainly provided within the geographical areas of the naval bases. For Naval Base Korsør that is Zealand, Funen, Bornholm as well as the surrounding waters. For Naval Base Frederikshavn it is Jutland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Moreover, general support is provided for units participating in international operations in peacetime, as well as all units in crisis and wartime.
The navy maintains a number of naval stations. These are smaller stations with limited support functions. The best known is the publicly accessible Naval Station Holmen in Copenhagen. There are also naval stations located in Kongsøre
[edit]
Runs three main schools, with five special schools:
- Naval NCO and Basic Training School (Danish: Søværnets Sergent- og Grundskole (SSG)) near Frederikshavn
- Danish naval academy (Danish: Søværnets Officersskole) at Holmen, Copenhagen
- Naval specialist schools (Danish: Søværnets specialskoler):
- Naval Warfare School (Danish: Center For Taktikkursus (TAK)) at Naval Base Frederikshavn and Holmen, Copenhagen
- Naval Weapons School (Danish: Center For Våben (VBK)) at Sjællands Odde
- Naval Technical School (Danish: Center For Teknik (CT)) at Holmen, Copenhagen
- Naval Damage Control School (Danish: Center For Skibssikkerhed (SHK)) near Frederikshavn
- Naval Diving School (Danish: Center For Dykning (CD)) at Holmen, Copenhagen
- Naval Centre for Sergeant and Maritime Education (Danish: Center For Sergent og Maritim Uddannelse)
International operations[edit]
The contemporary Danish navy has participated in the following international operations:
| Year | Operation | Participating units |
|---|---|---|
| 1990–91 | Operation Desert Shield | Olfert Fischer (F355) ( Niels Juel class) |
| 1993–96 | Operation Sharp Guard | Niels Juel F354 (Niels Juel class) |
| 1999 | Operation Allied Harvest | Lindormen N43 (Lindormen class) |
| 29 November 2002 – 4 March 2003 | Prestige Cleanup | Gunnar Seidenfaden A561 (Gunnar Thorson class) |
| 2001–2002 | Operation Active Endeavour | Olfert Fischer F355 (Niels Juel class) and Sælen S323 (Tumleren class) |
| 2003 | Operation Active Endeavour | Viben P562 and Ravnen P560 (Flyvefisken class) |
| 2003 | Operation Iraqi Freedom | Sælen S323 (Tumleren class), Olfert Fischer F355 (Niels Juel class) |
| 2006–08 | United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) | Glenten P557, Ravnen P560 ( Flyvefisken class), Peter Tordenskiold F356 (Niels Juel class) |
| 2007 | Standing NRF Maritime Group 1 | Olfert Fischer F355 (Niels Juel class) |
| 2008 | WFP protection force at the Horn of Africa | Thetis (F357) ( Thetis class) |
| 2008 | Task Force 150 | Danish Task Group (flag) and Absalon (L16) (flagship, Absalon class) |
| 2009 | Flagship SNMCMG1 | Thetis F357 (Thetis class) |
| 2009 | Task Force 151 | Absalon L16 (Absalon class) |
| 2010 | Flagship SNMG1 | Esbern Snare (L17) and Absalon L16 (both Absalon class) |
| 2011– | Operation Ocean Shield | Absalon L16 and Esben Snare L17 (Absalon class) Iver Huitfeldt F361 (Iver Huitfeldt class) [15] |
| 2012 | Task Force 150 | Danish Task Group (flag)[16] |
Vessels[edit]
The Danish navy currently operates:
- 12 larger vessels (displacement > 1,500 t(m))
- 4 medium-size vessels (1,500 t(m) > displacement > 500 t(m)), and
- 38 small vessels (500 t(m) > displacement > 15 t(m)),
as well as a number of rigid-hulled inflatable boats, boats etc.
The navy ship programs are generally of the "newer but fewer" type. Many of the vessels are of more recent dates (Absalon class from 2004 to 2005, Thetis class from 1991 to 1994 and Flyvefisken class from 1986 to 1995) or under replacement, i.e. the corvettes of the Niels Juel class (1978–1980) have been replaced with three new Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate for 2nd Squadron and the Barsø class (1969–1973) has been replaced with 6 Diana-class small patrol crafts. Finally all three Agdlek class vessels (1973–1979) have been replaced with the new Knud Rasmussen-class vessels.
In addition, the Royal Danish Navy and the German Navy are in cooperation in the "Ark Project". This agreement made the Ark Project responsible for the strategic sealift of Danish and German armed forces where the full-time charter of three roll-on-roll-off cargo and troop ships are ready for deployments. Furthermore, these ships are also kept available for the use of the other European NATO countries.[17]
Air service[edit]
Early years[edit]
The Royal Danish Navy has operated aircraft since 1912 either as a functional part of the navy or as flights conducted by the Royal Danish Air Force. Aviation pioneer Robert Svendsen purchased the first aircraft, a Henry Farman, and gave it to the navy who subsequently named it Glenten (kite). Later the same year, a private funding effort made it possible to purchase two Donnet-Leveque flying boats named Maagen (gull) and Ternen (tern).
At the outbreak of World War One the navy had two operational flying boats and five trained pilots making it possible to make daily reconnaissance flights over the Sound, monitoring German mine-laying activities.
From 1914 to 1917, the Orlogsværftet (Danish naval yard) produced eight OV-flying boats and in 1915 and 1916 two naval flying stations were established in Copenhagen and Nyborg, mainly focusing on the two international seaways Øresund and Storebælt.
After the war the Danish production of aircraft was stopped due to several crashes and an international surplus of warplanes. Following British advice, five Avro 504s were purchased for training purposes, and based in Ringsted between the two important straits.
Fighter aircraft[edit]
In 1925 three land-based fighter aircraft were purchased to be based in Ringsted. A modified version of the Hawker Woodcock, the Hawker Danecock, was initially delivered from the UK while a following series of 12 aircraft were license-built by the Orlogsværft.
In 1928 the naval air service procured six Heinkel HE 8 floatplanes, with another 16 to be license-built by the Orlogsværft. As Germany were not allowed to produce military aircraft, the planes were labelled as mail planes, but they could easily be refitted with dual machine guns, radio equipment and a capacity for eight bombs.
The Heinkel had an unexpected arctic employment in the early 1930s when a dispute over East Greenland caused the first deployment of aircraft, along with three naval ships, in Greenland. Following settlement of the dispute between Denmark and Norway the Heinkels were used in the efforts to map the frontiers of the island.[18]
In 1933 two Hawker Nimrods were acquired to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology of naval aircraft . A further ten aircraft were to be produced under licence at the Orlogsværft. The new aircraft made the air base in Ringsted inadequate and the naval air service was moved to the Avnø peninsula at southern Zealand.[19]
Attack aircraft[edit]
In 1932 the navy purchased its first offensive capacity, two Hawker Horsley torpedo bombers with an option to produce a following series on the Orlogsværft. After four years of testing and practice, the naval air service had agreed to expand the offensive capacities with the Horsley, but at this time funding from the Danish government had been cut and no further torpedo bombers were acquired.[19]
In the late 1930s the government changed plans and increased the budget for military purchases following the German expansions in central Europe. In 1938, 12 Fairey P.4/34s were to be produced at Orlogsværftet, along with 12 Italian Macchi C.200 fighters. None of these were produced before the German invasion of Denmark on April 9, 1940.[19]
Helicopters[edit]
Helicopters are deployed from the air force's 723rd squadron to Danish naval ships. When initiated in 1962, the naval helicopters consisted of a flight of Alouette helicopters of RDAF squadron 722.
Primarily for use on the Thetis class in operations in Greenland and Faroe Islands, but also on Absalon class in international operations and Knud Rasmussen class off Greenland as well as participating in exercises. The independent unit was established in 1977 as "Søværnets Flyvetjeneste" operating (Aérospatiale Alouette III (1977–1982) and Westland Lynx (1980–present) helicopters. In 1989, the Navy had one Lynx 23, six Lynx 80, and two Lynx 90.[20]
On 6 December 2012 the Danish Air Force officially ordered nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, with all to be delivered by 2018,[21] following a competition on the procurement involving the NH90, AgustaWestlands AW159 Wildcat and the AW101 along with Sikorsky's other bid H-92 Superhawk.[22]
Ranks and insignia[edit]
- Officers
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) | Student officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Royal Danish Navy | No equivalent | No equivalent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Admiral | Vice admiral Viceadmiral | Rear admiral Kontreadmiral | Commodore Flotilleadmiral | Captain Kommandør | Commander(senior grade) Kommandørkaptajn | Commander Orlogskaptajn | Lieutenant commander Kaptajnløjtnant | Lieutenant Premierløjtnant | Lieutenant(junior grade) Løjtnant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Danish Pay Grade[23] | M406 | M405 | M404 | M403 | M402 | M401 | M332 M331 M322 | M321 | M312 | M311 | M310 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Others
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Danish Navy | No equivalent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Søværnschefsergent | Chefsergent | Seniorsergent | Oversergent | Sergent | Sergent SØ | Korporal | Marinespecialist | Marineoverkonstabel | Marinekonstabel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Danish Pay Grade[23] | M232 | M231 | M221 | M212 | M211 | M113 | M112 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Branch of Service
Våben, Artilleri
(Gunner)Våben, Torpedo
(Torpedo)Kommunikation
(Communication )
References[edit]
- ^ "The Danish Defence Agreement 2005 – 2009 – Navy". Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ "Equipment used in the Navy". Archived from the original on 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ "Danmark bombede Algier – og glemte alt om det". videnskab.dk. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- ^ "CIA: The World Factbook". Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ Mikael Bill, Pernille Kroer, Niels Mejdal, Leif Mortensen, "Danmarks Flåde i 500 år", specialavis udgivet af Soværnets Operative Kommando i samarbejde med Danmarks Marineforening, 4 June 2010. (in Danish)
- ^ "Den danske flåde 1510–2010" (in Danish) Retrieved 5 June 2010. Archived May 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Defying Napoleon: How Britain Bombarded Copenhagen and Seized the Danish Fleet in 1807 (07 edition (13 Mar 2007) ed.). The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7509-4279-9.
- ^ "Danish Naval Historical Time Line: August". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^ a b "Danish Navy left without any military options". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^ "Den danske Flotille 1944–1945" (in Danish). Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^ "Video showing Danish mobile missile battery firing". Youtube.com. 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
- ^ "Materiel i Søværnet" (in Danish). Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^ http://navalhistory.dk/English/Naval_Lists/Periods/1945_.htm Danish Navy ships 1945-1989
- ^ MOBA udfases (2003)
- ^ "Absalon genindtræder i dag i NATO's antipiraterioperation" (in Danish). 2011-11-01. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
- ^ Denmark has taken command of CTF 151 (in Danish) Archived January 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [1] Archived February 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Marinens Flyvevæsen/Søværnets Flyvetjeneste (1912–2003)". Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ "World's Air Forces 1989". Flight International: 52. 29 November 1989. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- ^ Denmark Signs Letter of Offer and Acceptance for Nine MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters – Deagel.com, December 6, 2012
- ^ "Helikopterindkøb – præsentation af feltet". Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Historik". forpers.dk (in Danish). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
Bibliography[edit]
- Ledet, Michel (March 2002). "Le Heinkel HE 8". Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (108): 36–45. ISSN 1243-8650.
- Ledet, Michel (April 2002). "Le Heinkel HE 8". Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (109): 30–38. ISSN 1243-8650.
External links[edit]
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Danish Navy. |
- Official website (in English)
- Danish Naval History (in English)
| vteNATO Allied Maritime Command | ||
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| Structure |
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| NATO maritime forces |
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