DENMARK: Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen insisted on Wednesday that women should be eligible to enlist in the Danish armed forces, claiming the country's military cannot effectively defend itself as it stands now.

The official insisted that everyone, including women, should be eligible for compulsory military service and that the size of the Danish army should be increased in an interview with TV2. He or she also claimed that Denmark could no longer rely solely on volunteers.

The minister claimed that Russia is a common enemy to Denmark as well as its neighbors and allies, and that if Russia is allowed to win the Ukrainian conflict, it will invade Europe. Alleman-Jensen said Moscow "must give up."

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According to current Danish law, the armed forces can conscript any physically fit person over the age of 18, and service terms usually range from four to twelve months. Women, on the other hand, are allowed to participate voluntarily but are not required by law to do so.

However, the proportion of soldiers actually serving in the military remains relatively low and accounts for less than 1% of the Danish armed forces due to the large number of volunteers, who generally make up more than 96% of the country's active troops. represent.

In the Danish Army, women make up 17% of all personnel. Ellemann-Jensen claims she thinks there should be more of them, adding that "more women in the armed forces would be beneficial," noting that doing so would also enable the nation to meet its NATO membership obligations. .

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The minister made his announcement after his office released the findings of a biennial NATO report that criticized Copenhagen for not making enough military investments.

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The assessment was made, however, before Denmark revealed last month that it would increase its defense spending by $660 million to meet NATO's targeted contribution of 2% of GDP. To reach that objective by 2030 – three years ahead of schedule – the Danish government also abolished the national religious holiday.