The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) has marked a significant milestone in its defense capabilities as its F-35A fighter jets conducted their first Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission, intercepting a Russian Il-20 Coot-A reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The event underscores Denmark’s growing role in NATO’s air policing efforts amid increasing tensions with Russia.
Last week, Danish F-35s scrambled from Fighter Wing Skrydstrup in response to an unidentified aircraft approaching Denmark’s area of interest near the island of Bornholm. The aircraft, tracked by NATO and Danish ground-based radars, was confirmed to be a Russian Il-20 Coot-A, an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform frequently used for electronic eavesdropping and monitoring military movements in the region.
Following established NATO Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for peacetime intercept missions, the Danish pilots visually identified the aircraft and shadowed it to ensure it did not violate Danish airspace. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace throughout the mission, a common occurrence in the Baltic region where Russian military aircraft regularly operate near NATO territories without filing flight plans or communicating with air traffic control.
Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance over Danish airspace, particularly in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“It is absolutely crucial that Danish fighter jets assert Danish sovereignty when Russian military aircraft approach Danish airspace. With the F-35, we now have a state-of-the-art capability that enhances Denmark’s defense power and strengthens NATO’s overall deterrence and defense in the region,” Poulsen said.
He highlighted that the situation in the Baltic Sea remains tense due to Russia’s aggression and that Denmark, alongside its Nordic neighbors, Poland, and Germany, holds a special responsibility for regional security.
Although the F-35 fleet officially assumed Quick Reaction Alert duties on April 1, the aircraft and their crews were already prepared for operations in late March. This early deployment showcases Denmark’s commitment to integrating the next-generation fighter into its operational structure.
Jan Dam, Commander of the Air Command, expressed pride in the rapid transition from training to operational readiness.
“We have reached a stage in the F-35 transition where it is no longer solely about education and training. The aircraft is now actively contributing to operational missions, and I am naturally proud of that,” Dam said.
For now, the RDAF will continue to use both F-35s and F-16s for QRA missions. Denmark has received 17 of the 27 F-35s it ordered, with full operational capability expected by the end of 2025.
“The F-35 capability must be developed step by step to ensure it can fully assume all operational roles required of Denmark’s fighter fleet. Therefore, it makes sense to continue using the F-16 for repulse operations while our F-35 crews focus on training and mastering the more complex aspects of the aircraft’s missions,” Dam added.
Denmark’s inclusion of the F-35 in its QRA role enhances NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, which has been crucial in deterring Russian air incursions since 2004. The alliance maintains a rotating presence of fighter jets in the Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—where they lack their own fighter fleets.
The Baltic region has witnessed a surge in Russian aerial activity since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO air forces frequently scramble to intercept Russian bombers, fighters, and ISR aircraft operating near allied airspace without proper transponder signals or communication with civilian air traffic control.
The Il-20 Coot-A is a common sight in the region, often flying intelligence-gathering missions near NATO countries. The aircraft is equipped with advanced electronic surveillance and reconnaissance systems, making it a valuable asset for the Russian military in monitoring NATO activities.
While such flights remain legal under international law, they are often perceived as provocative, particularly when they approach NATO airspace without prior notification. NATO’s routine intercepts of Russian aircraft serve as a reminder of the alliance’s commitment to securing its airspace and responding swiftly to any potential threats.
Denmark’s decision to deploy the F-35 for air policing duties aligns with its broader defense strategy, which includes a significant increase in military spending and the potential acquisition of additional fighter jets.
Despite diplomatic tensions with former U.S. President Donald Trump—who previously expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, Denmark’s autonomous territory—the Danish government remains committed to strengthening its defense cooperation with the United States.
“We must strengthen our fighter jet fleet, and acquiring more F-35s is a completely logical step,” Poulsen said in a recent interview.
Denmark has been a key NATO ally and a longstanding purchaser of U.S. military equipment. The transition from the F-16 to the F-35 represents a modernization effort to ensure interoperability with other NATO air forces, particularly as the alliance faces new security challenges from Russia.
The debate over continued procurement of U.S.-made military hardware has intensified following Trump’s renewed criticism of NATO and his aggressive stance toward European allies.
Trump’s rhetoric has fueled concerns in Canada and Portugal, both of which are reassessing their F-35 purchases. A growing conspiracy theory—suggesting that the U.S. could remotely disable allied F-35s through a “kill switch”—has also contributed to skepticism.
Despite these concerns, Poulsen defended Denmark’s reliance on American-built aircraft, dismissing the idea of cutting defense ties with the U.S.
“It is completely unrealistic to think we could cease cooperation with the United States or stop purchasing its military equipment. While it is concerning to hear statements from a new U.S. administration that we disagree with, ending more than 75 years of defense collaboration would, in my view, be entirely wrong,” he stated.
Denmark’s F-16 fleet, which has served the country since the 1980s, will be gradually phased out by the end of 2025, with the F-35 fully assuming all operational roles. The transition marks the beginning of a new era for the Danish Air Force, as it embraces a 5th-generation fighter with advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and networked warfare capabilities.
While the first operational mission of the RDAF F-35s was a routine intercept, it serves as a clear demonstration of Denmark’s growing air power and commitment to NATO’s collective security. As regional tensions persist, Denmark’s role in the Baltic and Arctic security framework will only become more significant in the years ahead.
