// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Royal Danish Navy ship say? "I'm anchored to my job.
This is a list of the active vessels of the Royal Danish Navy.[1]
Current fleet
[edit]Navy fleet
[edit]Combat fleet
[edit]| Class | In service | Origin | Picture | Type | Ship | No. | Comm. | Builder | Displacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigates (9) | ||||||||||
| Absalon class | 2 | ASW Frigate | Absalon | F341 | 2004 | Odense Staalskibsværft | 6,600 tonnes | [2][3] Flexible mission capabilities through modules (naval warfare, land attack, command ship, hospital ship, disaster relief).[4] | ||
| Esbern Snare | F342 | 2005 | ||||||||
| Iver Huitfeldt class | 3 | Air-defence frigate | Iver Huitfeldt | F361 | 2011 | Odense Staalskibsværft | 6,645 tonnes | [5][3] Flexible mission capabilities through modules (naval warfare, land attack, command ship, hospital ship, disaster relief).[4] | ||
| Peter Willemoes | F362 | 2011 | ||||||||
| Niels Juel | F363 | 2011 | ||||||||
| Thetis class Stanflex 3000 |
4 | Oceanic patrol frigate | Thetis | F357 | 1991 | Svendborg Skibsværft | 3,500 tonnes | [3][6] To be replaced by a frigate with ASW capacity.[7] | ||
| Triton | F358 | 1991 | ||||||||
| Vædderen | F359 | 1992 | ||||||||
| Hvidbjørnen | F360 | 1992 | ||||||||
| Offshore patrol vessels (9) | ||||||||||
| Knud Rasmussen class | 3 | Arctic patrol ships | Knud Rasmussen | P570 | 2008 | Karstensens Skibsværft | 1,720 tonnes | [4][3] | ||
| Ejnar Mikkelsen | P571 | 2009 | ||||||||
| Lauge Koch | P572 | 2017 | ||||||||
| Diana class | 6 | Patrol vessel | Diana | P520 | 2007 | Faaborg Værft A/S Karlskrona Varvet | 246 tonnes | [3] | ||
| Freja | P521 | 2007 | ||||||||
| Havfruen | P522 | 2008 | ||||||||
| Najaden | P523 | 2008 | ||||||||
| Nymfen | P524 | 2008 | ||||||||
| Rota | P525 | 2008 | ||||||||
| Light boats (35) | ||||||||||
| SB90E class | 4 | Landing Craft Personnel | – | LCP1 | 2003 - 2004 |
Storebro Bruk | 7.2 tonnes | [8] Used from the Absalon class. | ||
| – | LCP2 | |||||||||
| – | LCP3 | |||||||||
| – | LCP4 | |||||||||
| 2 | Illustration, same variant, fully orange |
Search and rescue boat | Dagmar | SAR1 | 2007 | Used from the Knud Rasmussen class, modified with ice-reinforcements and upgraded engines. | ||||
| Naja | SAR2 | 2007 | ||||||||
| MHV RHIB | 29 | – | RHIB Rigid-hulled inflatable boats |
– | – | – | – | – | Used from various ships and vessels of the Navy. | |
| Diving vessels (1) | ||||||||||
| Flyvefisken class SF300 - Serie 3 |
1 | Diving support vessel | Søløven | Y311 (former P563) |
1996 | Danyard | 487 tonnes | [9] Surveillance diving support since 2012, and can support MSF class ships. | ||
| Mine warfare ships (6) | ||||||||||
| MSF class Mindre standardfartøj |
4 | Mine-sweeping remote control vessels | – | MSF1 | 1998 | Danyard | 125 tonnes | [10] | ||
| – | MSF2 | 1998 | ||||||||
| – | MSF3 | 1999 | ||||||||
| – | MSF4 | 1999 | ||||||||
| Holm class | 2 (2 Holm class in this configuration) |
Minesweeper | Hirsholm | MSD5 | 2007 | Danish yacht | 125 tonnes | [11] | ||
| Saltholm | MSD6 | 2008 | ||||||||
Auxiliary ships
[edit]| Class | In service | Origin | Picture | Type | Ship | No. | Comm. | Builder | Displacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logistic support vessels (4) | ||||||||||
| Sleipner class | 1 | Logistic support ship | Sleipner | A559 | 1986 | Åbenrå Shipyard A/S | 465 tonnes | [1][12][13] | ||
| Stena 4Runner I class | 1 | RO/RO Roll-on / roll-off |
Ark Forwarder | A98 | 2007 | Societa Esercizio Cantieri | 21,104 tonnes | [14] Launched in 1998, chartered by Danish Navy since 2007 as part of the NATO Response Force. | ||
| – | 1 | RO/RO Roll-on / roll-off |
Tor Dania | – | 2007 | Societé Metallurgique & Navale Dunkerque-Normandie | 21,491 tonnes | [15] Launched in 1978, rebuilt in 1995, chartered by Danish Navy since 2007 as part of the NATO Response Force. | ||
| – | 1 | RO/RO Roll-on / roll-off |
Tor Futura | – | 2004 | Cantiere Navale Visentini | 18,469 tonnes | [16] Launched in 1996, chartered by Danish Navy since 2007 as part of the NATO Response Force. | ||
| Research vessels / environmental protection vessels (9) | ||||||||||
| Supply class | 2 | Environmental protection vessel | Gunnar Thorson | A560 | 1996 | Ørskov Christensen Stålskibsværft A/S | 1,660 tonnes | [1] | ||
| Gunnar Seidenfaden | A561 | 1996 | ||||||||
| Holm class | 2 (2 Holm class in this configuration) |
Hydrographical survey craft | Birkholm | A541 | 2006 | Danish yacht | 125 tonnes | [1] | ||
| Fyrholm | A542 | 2006 | ||||||||
| Seatruck class | 2 | Environmental protection vessel | Mette-Miljø | A562 | 1996 | Carl B Hoffmann A/S (Esbjerg) | 247 tonnes | [17][18] | ||
| Marie-Miljø | A564 | |||||||||
| Miljø class | 3 | Environmental protection vessel | Miljø 101 | Y340 | 1996 | Eivinds plasticjolle- og bådeværft | 16 tonnes | [19] | ||
| Miljø 102 | Y341 | 1996 | ||||||||
| Miljø 103 | Y342 | 2008 | ||||||||
| Training vessels (2) | ||||||||||
| Holm class | 2 (2 Holm class in this configuration) |
Training boat | Ertholm | A543 | 2006 | Danish yacht | 159 tonnes | [1] | ||
| Alholm | A544 | 2007 | ||||||||
| Tugboats | ||||||||||
| Arvak class | 2 | Tugboat | Arvak | Y344 | 2002 | Hvide Sande Skibs- & Baadebyggeri | – | [20] | ||
| Alsin | Y345 | 2002 | ||||||||
| – | 2 | – | Harbour tugboat | Balder | – | 1983 | Assens Skibsværft | 32 tonnes | [21] | |
| Hermod | – | 1983 | ||||||||
Home guard
[edit]| Class | In service | Origin | Picture | Type | Ship | No. | Comm. | Builder | Displacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol and SAR vessels (29) | ||||||||||
| MHV 800 class | 18 | Patrol and rescue vessel | Aldebaraan | MHV801 | 1992 | Søby Værft | 83 tonnes | [22] | ||
| Carina | MHV802 | 1992 | ||||||||
| Aries | MHV803 | 1993 | ||||||||
| Andromeda | MHV804 | 1993 | ||||||||
| Gemini | MHV805 | 1994 | ||||||||
| Dubhe | MHV806 | 1994 | ||||||||
| Jupiter | MHV807 | 1994 | ||||||||
| Lyra | MHV808 | 1995 | ||||||||
| Antares | MHV809 | 1995 | ||||||||
| Luna | MHV810 | 1996 | ||||||||
| Apollo | MHV811 | 1996 | ||||||||
| Hercules | MHV812 | 1997 | ||||||||
| Baunen | MHV813 | 1997 | ||||||||
| Budstikken | MHV814 | 1998 | ||||||||
| Kureren | MHV815 | 1999 | ||||||||
| Patrioten | MHV816 | 2000 | ||||||||
| Partisan | MHV817 | 2000 | ||||||||
| Sabotøren | MHV851 | 2000 | ||||||||
| MHV900 class | 12 | Patrol and rescue vessel | Enø | MHV901 | 2003 | Søby Værft | 87 tonnes | [23] | ||
| Manø | MHV902 | 2004 | ||||||||
| Hjortø | MHV903 | 2005 | ||||||||
| Lyø | MHV904 | 2005 | ||||||||
| Askø | MHV905 | 2006 | ||||||||
| Fænø | MHV906 | 2007 | ||||||||
| Hvidsten | MHV907 | 2008 | ||||||||
| Brigaden | MHV908 | 2008 | ||||||||
| Speditøren | MHV909 | 2009 | ||||||||
| Ringen | MHV910 | 2009 | ||||||||
| Bopa | MHV911 | 2009 | ||||||||
| Holger Danske | MHV912 | 2011 | ||||||||
Royal yacht fleet
[edit]| Class | In service | Origin | Picture | Type | Ship | No. | Comm. | Builder | Displacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht | ||||||||||
| – | 1 | Royal Yacht | Dannebrog | A540 | 1932 | Orlogsverftet | 1,238 tonnes | [1] Can participate to surveillance and sea-rescue missions. | ||
| Sailing yachts | ||||||||||
| – | 2 | – | Illustration with comparable boat |
Sailing vessel | Svanen | Y101 | – | – | – | [1] |
| Thyra | Y102 | – | ||||||||
Ships on order
[edit]| Class | In service | Origin | Picture | Type | Comm. | Builder | Displacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multirole vessels (6 on order) | ||||||||
| MPV80 class | 6 | – | Modular vessels (OPV / research vessels) |
2029 (planned) |
Odense Maritime Technology, Terma | 1,100 tonnes | [24] Agreement signed in June 2023 for the development of the ships.[25] Expected to feature anti-surface warfare missiles as of 2024.[26] | |
| – | – | – | Multirole vessels (mine-laying vessel / environmental vessel) |
2029 (planned) |
Orlogsskibe Danmark K/S consortium (OSK Design A/S / Karstensens Skibsværft A/S / Hvide Sande Shipyard) |
– | Contract signed in February 2026.[27][28] Quantity unknown, 4 were planned in 2025.[29] | |
| Underwater infrastructure protection ships (1 on order) | ||||||||
| VARD 4 19 class | 1 | Seabed warfare vessel | 2026 | Vard Ålesund | – | [30][31] Purchased from Danish Navigare Capital Partners A/S. It is the Norwind Helm.[32] | ||
Planned future fleet
[edit]Danish navy
[edit]Submarines
[edit]In June 2023, Denmark announced considering to reintroduce submarines into its navy. The need to secure the Faroe Islands, Greenland, the Arctic and the Baltic Sea justifies this consideration.[33] An alternative mentioned by Denmark would be a close cooperation with allies.[34]
Surface combat fleet
[edit]Denmark is considering its options regarding the future replacement of the Thetis class and the Absalon class.[35] A potential successor of the Thetis class was unveiled in September 2023 by OSK Design, the Arctic Frigate. The Danish Navy mentioned that it would need the successor of the Thetis to enter service in 2032.[36]
In May 2024, several ministries and industry representatives unveiled a report for the long-term strategy of the Danish Navy.[37][38] The plan is focusing on a 20-25 year time period. During that period, 15 frigates and offshore patrol vessels would need to be acquired, and 40 lighter vessels would be needed.
In March 2025, the Danish Armed Forces announced a new plan for the future that includes:[39]
- Next generation of large vessels (frigates and ships for the Atlantic and the Arctic):[29]
- Air defence frigates
- Arctic ships, additional ships planned to be ordered
- Icebreaker capacity to be assessed in collaboration with allies
- 4 vessels designed for mine-laying / mine warfare, and marine environmental response. The primary role is to focus on environmental tasks (oil and chemical spills), and the mine warfare would be a secondary role.
- 1 ship with drones and sonar systems to monitor underwater data cables, electricity lines, and gas pipelines.
- Underwater drones and autonomous units to be developed for the Danish Navy.
Home guard
[edit]In March 2025, the Danish government announced a new plan for the future of the Home Guard that includes:[39]
- 21 vessels to be used for maritime surveillance, port guarding, rescue, marine environmental tasks, host nation support.
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Structure of the Navy". 1 September 2020.
- ↑ "Absalon Class Combat / Flexible Support Ship". Naval Technology. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Ships And Platforms". navalteam.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- 1 2 3 "Danish frigate program" (PDF). ft.dk. 2014-12-05.
- ↑ admin (2019-02-18). "Royal Danish Navy - Ivar Huitfeldt Class Frigates - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Thetis Class Patrol Frigate" (PDF). marinehist.dk. 2015-01-27.
- ↑ "Danish ocean patrol vessel procurement programme expected this year". Default. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "LCP Class (2004- ), Landing Crafts". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
- ↑ "40 flådefartøjer på vej mod Østersøen" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "MSF-klassen (1998- ), Minerydningsfartøjer". www.navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Minerydningsdroner". 2016-02-11. Archived from the original on 2016-02-11. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
- ↑ "Torpedotransportskibet SLEIPNER". 2009-04-03. Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Transportskibet Sleipner". 14 August 2020.
- ↑ "ARK FORWARDER (2007- ), Roll-on/Roll-off Ship". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "TOR DANIA (2007- ), Roll-on/Roll-off Ship". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "TOR FUTURA (2004- ), Roll-on/Roll-off Ship". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Danish Defense - Seatruck Class - HDMS Mette Miljø" (PDF). forsvaret.dk. 2016-02-08.
- ↑ "Seatruck Class (1996- ), Environmental Protection Vessels". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "MILJØ 101 (1996- ), Miljøskib". www.navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Sjømateriell". Forsvaret (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ↑ "BALDER (1983- ), Harbor Tug". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Hjemmeværnet - MHV 800-klassen". 2014-10-11. Archived from the original on 2014-10-11. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Hjemmeværnet - MHV 900-klassen". 2011-08-17. Archived from the original on 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ Hovgaard, Laurids (2024-01-03). "New patrol ships to revive Danish shipyards | Ingeniøren". ing.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ Vavasseur, Xavier (2023-06-23). "New Naval Vessels for Denmark". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ Scott, Richard (2024-09-02). "Increased focus on combat capabilities for new Danish patrol ships". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ↑ "Nye havmiljø- og minelægningsfartøjer på vej til Søværnet". Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse (in Danish). Retrieved 2026-07-02.
- ↑ Staff, Naval News (2026-07-01). "Denmark Orders New Multi-Role Environmental and Minelaying Vessels". Naval News. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
- 1 2 "The next generation of the fleet's largest ships" (PDF). 31 March 2025.
- ↑ "Nyt skib til overvågning af kritisk undersøisk infrastruktur". Forsvarsministeriets Materiel- og Indkøbsstyrelse (in Danish). Retrieved 2025-12-18.
- ↑ Staff, Naval News (2025-12-18). "Denmark to Acquire Seabed Warfare Vessel". Naval News. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
- ↑ "Norwind Helm". www.norwindoffshore.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
- ↑ "Return of the submarines to Royal Danish Navy?". 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ Martin, Tim (2023-06-12). "Denmark considering military submarines after almost 20 year gap: Danish lawmaker". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Dutch Ministry of Defence announces historic naval modernization programme". 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ Staff, Naval News (2023-09-26). "Denmark's OSK Design Unveils New Arctic Frigate". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ↑ "Det Nationale Partnerskab for det maritime område" (PDF). May 2024.
- ↑ Häggblom, Robin (2024-05-29). "Denmark is looking at a new long-term naval strategy". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- 1 2 "The government will strengthen the Danish Defence at sea FACT SHEET" (PDF). 31 March 2025.