View source for Royal Danish Navy

{{Short description|Sea-based branch of the Danish Defence}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Royal Danish Navy
| native_name                   = ''Søværnet''
| image                         = Emblem of the Royal Danish Navy.svg
| image_size                    = 100px
| caption                       = 
| start_date                    = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|1510|08|10}}
| country                       = {{flag|Kingdom of Denmark}}
| allegiance                    = {{DEN}}
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = [[Naval warfare]]
| size                          = 3,400 personnel + 200 conscripts<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/eng/Defence+Agreement/Navy/ |title=The Danish Defence Agreement 2005–2009 – Navy |access-date=2008-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510191853/http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/eng/Defence+Agreement/Navy/ |archive-date=May 10, 2008 }}</ref><br/>16 ships, 28 vessels and 30 boats<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/eng/Facts+and+Figures/Materiel/Navy/ |title=Equipment used in the Navy |access-date=2008-06-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080607044058/http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/eng/Facts+and+Figures/Materiel/Navy/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-06-07}}</ref>
| command_structure             = [[Danish Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = 
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = [[Swedish War of Liberation]] (1510–23)<br/>[[Count's Feud]] (1534–36)<br/>[[Nordic Seven Years' War]] (1563–70)<br/>[[Kalmar War]] (1611–13)<br/>[[Torstenson War]] (1643–45)<br/>[[Northern Wars|Second Nordic War]] (1657–60)<br/>[[Scanian War]] (1675–79)<br/>[[Great Nordic War]] (1700 & 1709–20)<br/> [[Danish-Algerian War]] (1769–70)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://videnskab.dk/kultur-samfund/danmark-bombede-algier-og-glemte-alt-om-det |title=Danmark bombede Algier – og glemte alt om det |publisher=videnskab.dk |access-date=2011-08-29}}</ref><br/>[[Action of 16 May 1797]]<br/>[[Battle of Copenhagen (1801)]]<br/>[[Battle of Copenhagen (1807)]]<br/>[[Gunboat War]] (1807–14)<br/>[[First Schleswig War]] (1848–51)<br/>[[Second Schleswig War]] (1864)<br/>[[Operation Safari]] (1943)<br />[[Operation Desert Shield]] (1990–91)<br />[[Operation Sharp Guard]] (1993–96)<br />[[Iraq War|Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (2003)<br />[[Combined Task Force 150]] (2008–) <br />[[Combined Task Force 151]] (2009–)
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| disbanded                     = 
| website                       = {{url|https://forsvaret.dk/|Official Website}}<br />{{url|https://www.facebook.com/sovaernet/|Official Facebook}}
<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1 = Rear Admiral [[Henrik Ryberg]]
| commander1_label = [[Chief of the Royal Danish Navy|Chief of Navy Command]]
| commander2 = 
| commander2_label = 
| notable_commanders            = [[Søren Norby]], [[Peter Tordenskjold]], [[Ivar Huitfeldt]], [[Niels Juel]], [[Herluf Trolle]], [[Olfert Fischer]], [[A. H. Vedel]]
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Ensign of Denmark.svg|200px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Naval Ensign and jack
| identification_symbol_2       = 
| identification_symbol_2_label = 
| identification_symbol_3       = 
| identification_symbol_3_label = 
| identification_symbol_4       = 
| identification_symbol_4_label = 
}}

The '''Royal Danish Navy''' ({{langx|da|Søværnet}}, {{Lit|The Navy}}) is the [[Naval warfare|sea-based branch]] of the [[Danish Armed Forces]] force. The RDN is mainly responsible for maritime defence and maintaining the [[sovereignty]] of [[Denmark|Danish]] [[territorial waters]] (incl. [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Greenland]]). Other tasks include [[surveillance]], [[search and rescue]], [[Icebreaker|icebreaking]], [[oil spill|oil spill recovery and prevention]] as well as contributions to international tasks and forces.

During the period 1509–1814, when Denmark was in a union with Norway, the Danish Navy was part of the [[Royal Danish Navy (1510–1814)|Dano-Norwegian Navy]]. Until the [[Copenhagenization (naval)|copenhagenization]] of the navy in 1801, and again in 1807, the navy was a major strategic influence in the European geographical area, but since then its size and influence has drastically declined with a change in government policy. Despite this, the navy is now equipped with a number of large state-of-the-art vessels commissioned since the end of the [[Cold War]]. This can be explained by its strategic location as the [[NATO]] member controlling access to the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]].

{{anchor|HDMS}}Danish Navy ships carry the [[ship prefix]] '''KDM''' (''Kongelige Danske Marine'') in Danish, but this is translated to '''HDMS''' (''Her / His Danish Majesty's Ship'') in English. Denmark is one of the many [[Members of NATO|NATO member states]] whose navies do not deploy submarines. However, historically Denmark has operated them, the submarines were retired in 2004 as part of cooperative defense agreement and restructuring. The Royal Danish Navy has operated a wide variety of vessels over the years, including different types of submarines, patrol boats, minesweepers, missile boats, and frigates. It has also operated a variety of aircraft, and the use of helicopters for search and rescue missions and transport, for example, has been a part of its mission.

==History==

{{see also|History of the Danish navy}}

The geographic layout of [[Denmark proper]] (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.<ref name=CIAFB>{{cite web|url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070601020457/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 1, 2007 |title = CIA: The World Factbook |access-date = 2008-07-20 }}</ref> Denmark therefore naturally has long-standing maritime traditions, dating back to the 9th century when the [[Viking]]s had small but well-organised fleets. They were often based in a small number of villages, usually with a common defence agreement; [[Viking ship]]s, 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 [[plunder]]ing 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 [[Valdemar II of Denmark|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.

Records exist of a unified Danish navy from the late 14th century. [[Margaret I of Denmark|Queen Margaret I]], who had just founded the [[Kalmar Union]] (consisting of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, [[Iceland]], [[Greenland]], [[Faroe Islands]], [[Shetland]], [[Orkney]], parts of [[Finland]] and parts of Germany) ordered the building of a navy – mainly to defend the union against the [[Hanseatic League]]. Earlier the national fleet had consisted of vessels owned and operated by the [[nobility]], but the country as such did not have a navy. The earlier [[Monarchy|monarchs]] therefore had to rely on [[conscription]] from the nobility, which was not always easy as the monarchy itself often had enemies within the nobility. Queen Margaret I gave instructions for a navy to be constituted and maintained under the control of the monarchy. The nobility still had to provide crews (which consisted mainly of "volunteered" farmers) for these ships, though the core crew-members (i.e. [[Captain (nautical)#Master|master]]s, [[master-at-arms]] and [[carpenter|master carpenters]]) could be employed by the monarch. There were also education [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]], mainly levied from the nobility.

In the 15th century, especially during the reign of [[John, King of Denmark|King Hans]], Danish trade expanded appreciably, increasing the need for the delivery of merchandise. As shipping was the ideal means of transport at the time, Danish maritime interests had to be further protected. King Hans is credited with establishing a joint [[Royal Danish Navy (1510–1814)|Dano-Norwegian fleet]] in 1509, substantially increasing the number of professional crewmembers. They were mainly petty criminals, who had to choose between working in the king's navy or imprisonment. They received basic training in seamanship and carpentry, enabling them to sail the ships. Responsibility for weaponry and combat was still in the hands of conscripted farmers. For these, the country was divided into a number of counties – known in Danish as ''skipæn'' (the term ''skip'' being related to the Danish word for ship, ''skib''), which would later serve as the Danish [[diocese]]s. 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.

===Founding of the Royal Danish Navy===

The founding of the Royal Danish Navy is often viewed in Denmark as taking place on 10 August 1510, when King Hans appointed his vassal [[Henrich Krummedige|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."<ref>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 lang|da}}</ref><ref>[http://flaaden500.dk/Historien.4.aspx "Den danske flåde 1510–2010"] {{in lang|da}} Retrieved 5 June 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526042133/http://flaaden500.dk/Historien.4.aspx |date=May 26, 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:Battle in køge bay-claus moinichen 1686.jpg|thumb|[[Battle of Køge Bay (1677)|Battle of Køge Bay]]]]

When [[Frederick II of Denmark|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 [[Northern Wars|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. [[Niels Juel]] led the Royal Danish Navy to a victory in the [[Battle of Køge Bay (1677)|Battle of Køge Bay]] in 1677.

[[Christian IV of Denmark|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.

General admiral lieutenant [[Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve, Count of Samsø|Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve]] was appointed supreme commander of the navy in 1701. He raised the status of the naval profession and established ''Søkadetakademie'', the predecessor of the [[Royal Danish Naval Academy]]. In 1709, Peter Jansen Wessel joined the navy. He was later given the rank of admiral as a reward for his many victories – most famously at ''Marstrand'' and ''Dynekilden''. He was later known as ''[[Tordenskjold]]''.

[[File:Dronning Juliane Marie.gif|thumb|''Dronning Juliane Marie'' {{circa|1750}}]]

In 1712, Tordenskjold succeeded in burning 80 Swedish naval cruisers, which played a large part in the outcome of the [[Great Northern War|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]]. A permanent naval presence of shifting strength was maintained in the Mediterranean Sea – protecting Danish-Norwegian interests in the region – mainly commerces against piracy. The Danish Mediterranean Squadron had numerous minor engagements with The Barbary States during the 1700s and 1800s. On several occasions these hostilities escalated to substantial actions. Some of the more notable can be said to be: the Mediterranean Squadron's bombardment of Algiers in 1770 under the command of rear admiral [[Frederik Christian Kaas (1725–1803)|Frederik Christian Kaas]]; the then captain, and future Privy Councillor, [[Steen Andersen Bille (1751-1833)|Steen Andersen Bille]]'s action at [[Action of 16 May 1797|Tripoli in 1797]]; and commander [[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.

===Copenhagenization and rebuilding===

The [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]], under pressure from the [[First French Empire|French]] in the [[Napoleonic Wars]], became increasingly reluctant to allow Denmark to trade overseas as they believed [[Napoleon|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 (1801)|Battle of Copenhagen]], under the command of [[Hyde Parker (admiral)|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. [[Christian VII of Denmark|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 [[Battle of Copenhagen (1807)|bombarded]] and the king forced to surrender the fleet.<ref>{{cite book|title=Defying Napoleon: How Britain Bombarded Copenhagen and Seized the Danish Fleet in 1807|year=2007|publisher=The History Press Ltd|edition=|isbn=978-0-7509-4279-9}}</ref>

In 1814, Denmark and Norway were separated relatively peacefully, after more than 300 years together. At the same time, the Common Fleet was split into the Royal Danish Navy and the [[Royal Norwegian Navy]].

[[File:Undervandsbåden Havmanden 1914.jpg|thumb|200px|Danish submarine ''Havmanden'' during World War I]]

The navy was slowly rebuilt, but it was nowhere near its former size. Faith was nevertheless placed in the navy, interests in Africa and the Caribbean still receiving considerable attention. In 1845, a two-year research expedition was launched on the corvette ''Galathea''. In the [[Second Schleswig War]] (1864), the navy was still relatively small and old-fashioned, even though the [[Prussian Navy]] was even smaller. Only a few steam vessels were at hand and these had a large impact on the war, in the end Prussians were not very successful at sea. As a result, it was considered necessary for the navy to be modernised. By the outbreak of [[World War I]] (1914), the Danish navy was a very modern fleet, mainly equipped with armoured steam ships and only a very few sailing ships.{{which|date=August 2022}}

===Interwar period and World War II===

[[File:Holmen Dato Efter 29. August 1943.jpg|thumb|left|[[Coastal defence ship]] ''[[Herluf Trolle-class coastal defence ship|Peder Skram]]'' scuttled by the Danish Navy on 29 August 1943]]

In the period between the two World Wars, the Royal Danish Navy (as well as the rest of the Danish military forces) had low priority for the politicians, especially between 1929 and 1942 under [[Thorvald Stauning]]. During the first year of the [[Occupation of Denmark|German occupation]] (1940–1945), the navy assisted the occupying German forces with minesweeping, because of the political demand of keeping the infrastructure (ferry-lines) up and running. The tensions between the German soldiers and the Danish armed forces rose slowly and, on [[Operation Safari|29 August 1943]], they managed to scuttle 32 of its larger ships, while Germany succeeded in seizing 14 of the larger and 50 of the smaller vessels. This was due to a secret order, given directly to the captains by word of mouth by commander of the navy, Vice Admiral [[A. H. Vedel]] "to try to flee to the nearest neutral or Nazi-opposed port. If that was not possible, the ship should be scuttled at as deep a location as possible." The Germans later succeeded in raising and refitting 15 of the sunken ships. A number of vessels had been ordered to attempt to escape to Swedish waters, and 13 succeeded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navalhistory.dk/English/Timeline/Timeline_08.htm |title=Danish Naval Historical Time Line: August |access-date=2008-07-28 }}</ref><ref name=29AUG>{{cite web |url=http://www.navalhistory.dk/English/History/1939_1945/August29.htm |title=Danish Navy left without any military options |access-date=2008-07-28 }}</ref> The fleet flagship, [[HDMS Niels Juel (1918)|''Niels Juel'']], attempted to break out in the [[Battle of 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.<ref name=29AUG/> By the autumn of 1944, these ships officially formed a Danish naval [[flotilla]] in exile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navalhistory.dk/Danish/Historien/1939_1945/DenDanskeFlotille.htm |title=Den danske Flotille 1944–1945 |access-date=2008-07-28 |language=da}}</ref> In September 1943, A. H. Vedel was fired by order of the prime minister [[Vilhelm Buhl]] because of his hostile actions towards the Germans.

[[File:RDN Alouette III.jpg|thumb|right|[[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Alouette III]] helicopters, operated on Arctic patrol vessels (1962–1982)]]

[[File:P547 Sehested.jpg|thumb|right|Danish FAC ''Sehested'' ({{Sclass|Willemoes|missile boat|4}})]]

[[File:RDN mobile misbat.jpg|thumb|right|Danish mobile missile battery (MOBA) for coastal defence equipped with Harpoon missiles (1990s–2003)]]

[[File:RDN P555 Storen 1.jpg|thumb|''Støren'' (P555), ''Flyvefisken'' class (1989–current)]]

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 disarmed ''[[Kriegsmarine]]''.

===Cold War===

{{Main|Allied Forces Baltic Approaches#Commander, Allied Naval Forces Baltic Approaches}}
During [[Cold War|the Cold War]], the Danish navy was rebuilt and modernised, with the main assignment being to repel an invasion from [[Warsaw Pact|the Warsaw Pact]]. Typical operations requiring training were [[Naval mine|minelaying]] (the now disbanded minelayers of the ''Falster'' class ({{convert|17|kn|lk=in}}, {{GRT|2,000}}), were the world's largest minelayers at their time – each had a complement of 280 900&nbsp;kg mines) and sting attacks with small but fast combat craft (such as the [[Brave-class fast patrol boat|''Søløven''-class]] fast [[torpedo boat]]s ({{convert|54|kn|abbr=on}}, {{GRT|158}}) and {{Sclass|Willemoes|missile boat|0}} [[missile boat|missile torpedo boats]] ({{convert|45|kn|abbr=on}}, {{GRT|260}}) and a self-sustaining mobile missile battery (MOBA) equipped with targeting and guidance, capable of firing [[Boeing AGM-84 Harpoon|Harpoon missiles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mwx50XYXwE | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130221355/http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=6mwx50XYXwE| archive-date=2010-11-30 | url-status=dead|title=Video showing Danish mobile missile battery firing |publisher=Youtube.com |date=2007-03-04 |access-date=2011-08-29}}</ref> The Danish intelligence capabilities were also expanded and the Danish [[submarine]]s 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 Peninsula|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 [[Allied Forces Baltic Approaches#Commander.2C Allied Naval Forces Baltic Approaches|NAVBALTAP]].

===Post-Cold War===

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 (naval)|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 ({{Sclass|Flyvefisken|patrol vessel|4}}) and 6 seaward defence craft (''Daphne'' class, decommissioned in 1991)
* 3rd Squadron = The Mine Squadron (Danish: 'MineSkibsEskadren' (MSE)) with 4&nbsp;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|''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 [[Kobben-class submarine|''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 [[Estonian Navy|the Estonian Navy]] as {{ship|EML|Admiral Pitka|A230|2}}. 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&nbsp;minelayers (''Falster'' class) and 2 cable-minelayers (''Lindormen'' class)
* 5th Squadron = The Submarine Squadron (Danish: 'UndervandsBådsEskadren' (UBE)) with 4 submarines (3 [[Kobben-class submarine|''Tumleren'' class]], 1&nbsp;''Kronbrog'' class – leased Swedish ''{{Sclass|Näcken|submarine|4}}'') 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:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forsvaret.dk/STS/Skibe+og+materiel/ |title=Materiel i Søværnet |access-date=2008-07-28 |language=da |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184241/http://forsvaret.dk/STS/Skibe+og+materiel/ |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

* 1st Squadron – domestic affairs squadron
* 2nd Squadron – foreign affairs squadron

On 18 August 2022, the [[Ministry of Defence (Denmark)|Defence Ministry]] announced the start of a major naval shipbuilding project, with a commitment of {{USD|5.5 billion}} in funding to build new warships, in part as a response to the recent [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. The funding is expected to be committed to programs that will roll out to ship commissioning over a 20 to 25 year period, and is a part of the government of Denmark's recent publicly stated plan to increase defence spending to two percent of the country's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP).<ref name=reuters20220818>{{cite news |title=Denmark to invest $5.5 billion in new warships |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/denmark-invest-55-billion-navy-2022-08-18/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=18 August 2022 |access-date=19 August 2022 }}</ref>

==Structure of the Royal Danish Navy==

=== Structure circa 2018 ===

[[File:Royal Danish Navy organization 2018.png|thumb|Organization of the Royal Danish Navy, 2018]]
{{Location map many | Denmark
| width = 300
| relief= 1
| float = right
| caption = {{center|'''Major land facilities of the Danish Navy. Arctic Command is beyond the map.'''}}
| label = <small>[[Admiral Danish Fleet|Navy Staff]]</small>
  | pos = right
  | bg = white
  | mark = Red pog.svg
  | lat_deg = 56 | lat_min = 09
  | lon_deg = 10 | lon_min = 05
| label2 = <small>[[Frederikshavn|OPLOG Frederikshavn]]</small>
  | pos2 = right
  | bg2 = white
  | mark2 = Green pog.svg
  | lat2_deg = 57 | lat2_min = 25
  | lon2_deg = 10 | lon2_min = 32
| label3 = <small>[[Korsør|OPLOG<br />Korsør]]</small>
  | pos3 = right
  | bg3 = white
  | mark3 = Green pog.svg
  | lat3_deg = 55 | lat3_min = 19
  | lon3_deg = 11 | lon3_min = 08
| label4 = <small>[[Royal Danish Naval Academy]]</small>
  | pos4 = right
  | bg4 = white
  | mark4 = Purple pog.svg
  | lat4_deg = 55 | lat4_min = 40
  | lon4_deg = 12 | lon4_min = 36
}}

The [[Naval Staff (Denmark)|Naval Staff]] (in Danish ''Marinestaben''), led by a [[Rear Admiral]], the [[Admiral Danish Fleet]], is directly responsible to the [[Defence Command (Denmark)|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, [[International crisis|crisis]] and [[war]]. It is a mobile unit that is experienced in orchestrating exercises, organising insertions ([[search and rescue]], [[non-combatant evacuation operation]]s, [[disaster relief operation]]s, 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 [[Exercise Joint Warrior|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 [[Squadron (naval)|squadrons]]:

* [[Danish navy 1st Squadron|1st Squadron]], administratively based at ''Naval Base [[Frederikshavn]]'', handles all tasks regarding [[Arctic Ocean]] affairs, such as maritime defence and [[sovereignty]] of [[Greenland]]ic and [[Faroe Islands|Faroese]] [[territorial waters]], [[surveillance]], [[search and rescue]] and [[oil spill|oil spill recovery and prevention]]. It has provided units for international tasks, such as the environmental recovery vessel ''Gunnar Seidenfaden'' for the cleanup after [[Prestige oil spill|the Prestige oil spill]] and the ocean patrol vessel {{HDMS|Thetis|F357|2}} for the protection force programme of [[World Food Programme|WFP]] chartered ships at [[Horn of Africa|the Horn of Africa]]. [[Vessels in the Danish Navy#1st Squadron|Vessels operated by 1st Squadron]].
* [[Danish navy 2nd 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, [[Emergency management|disaster relief operations]] and [[non-combatant evacuation operation]]s. It permanently provides units for international standing maritime groups as well as supporting various maritime operations. [[Vessels in the Danish Navy#2nd Squadron|Vessels operated by 2nd Squadron]].
* [[Danish navy 3rd 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]], [[Icebreaker|icebreaking]] and [[oil spill|oil spill recovery and prevention]].

===Naval Operational Logistic Sites===

[[File:Naval Base Frederikshavn.jpg|thumb|Naval Base Frederikshavn]]

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 [[Police of Denmark|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 (Denmark)|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 [[Holmen Naval Base|Naval Station Holmen]] in [[Copenhagen]]. There are also naval stations located in [[Kongsøre]]

===Naval schools===

[[File:Royal Danish Naval Academy.jpg|thumb|[[Royal Danish Naval Academy]]]]

Runs three main schools, with five special schools:
* Naval NCO and Basic Training School (Danish: Søværnets Sergent – og Grundskole (SSG)) near Frederikshavn
* [[Royal Danish Naval Academy|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)

=== Royal Danish Navy in the late 1980s ===

{{Location map+ |Denmark
| width = 520
| float = right
| caption = Danish naval bases and coastal fortresses in 1989 
| relief = 1
| places =
  {{Location map~ | Denmark
    | label = [[:da:Stevnsfortet|Stevnsfortet]]
    | position = right
    | background =
    | mark = Green pog.svg
    | marksize = 8 
    | lat_deg = 55 |lat_min = 15 | lat_sec = 46
    | lon_deg = 12 |lon_min = 24 | lon_sec = 49
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Denmark
    | label = [[:da:Langelandsfortet|Langelandsfortet]]
    | position = left
    | background =
    | mark = Green pog.svg
    | marksize = 8
    | lat_deg = 54 |lat_min = 45 | lat_sec = 00
    | lon_deg = 10 |lon_min = 43 | lon_sec = 00
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Denmark
    | label = [[:da:Flådestation Frederikshavn|Frederikshavn Naval Base]]
    | position = left
    | background =
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 8
    | lat_deg = 57 |lat_min = 26 | lat_sec = 28
    | lon_deg = 10 |lon_min = 32 | lon_sec = 23
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Denmark
    | label = [[:da:Flådestation Korsør|Korsør Naval Base]]
    | position = right
    | background =
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 8
    | lat_deg = 55 |lat_min = 19 | lat_sec = 50
    | lon_deg = 11 |lon_min = 08 | lon_sec = 02
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Denmark
    | label = [[Holmen Naval Base]]
    | position = left
    | background =
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 8
    | lat_deg = 55 |lat_min = 40 | lat_sec = 48
    | lon_deg = 12 |lon_min = 36 | lon_sec = 12
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Denmark
    | label = [[Admiral Danish Fleet]]
    | position = left
    | background =
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 8
    | lat_deg = 56 |lat_min = 09 | lat_sec = 00
    | lon_deg = 10 |lon_min = 12 | lon_sec = 00
  }}  
}}

[[File:HDMS Olfert Fischer (F355).jpg|thumb|360px|right|Corvette [[HDMS Olfert Fischer (F355)|HDMS ''Olfert Fischer'']] (F355) underway.]]

[[File:P547 Sehested.jpg|thumb|360px|right|Missile boat [[HDMS Sehested (P547)|HDMS ''Sehested'']] (P547) in port.]]

[[File:RDN mobile misbat.jpg|thumb|360px|right|Danish mobile Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher]]

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 Germany|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 [[minelayer]]s and [[fast attack craft]]s. The first would have been used to [[naval mine|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:<ref>{{cite web |title=Fleet Listings: Navy ships 1945–1989 |url=http://navalhistory.dk/English/Naval_Lists/Periods/1945_.htm |website=Danish Naval History |access-date=1 July 2022}}</ref>

* '''Royal Danish Navy''', in Aarhus, commanded by a [[vice admiral]]
** '''Navy Materiel Command''', Aarhus
*** Navy Depot Service
*** Navy Maintenance Service
*** Navy Ammunition Arsenal
** [[Danish Frogman Corps|Frogman Corps]], at [[Lammefjorden|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 frigate|''Peder Skram''-class frigates]]: [[HDMS Peder Skram (F352)|HDMS ''Peder Skram'']] (F352), [[HDMS Herluf Trolle (F353)|HDMS ''Herluf Trolle'']] (F353)
***** [[Niels Juel-class corvette|''Niels Juel''-class corvettes]]: [[HDMS Niels Juel (F354)|HDMS ''Niels Juel'']] (F354), [[HDMS Olfert Fischer (F355)|HDMS ''Olfert Fischer'']] (F355), [[HDMS Peter Tordenskiold (F356)|HDMS ''Peter Tordenskiold'']] (F356)
***** ''Daphne''-class seaward defence vessels (in the process of being replaced by [[Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel|''Flyvefisken''-class patrol vessels]]): ''Daphne'' (P530), ''Dryaden'' (P531), ''Havfruen'' (P533), ''Najaden'' (P534), ''Nymfen'' (P535), ''Neptun'' (P536; decommissioned 30 October 1989), ''Ran'' (P537), ''Rota'' (P538; decommissioned 31 October 1989)
*****  [[Replenishment oiler|Oiler]]: ''Sleipner'' (A559)
**** '''Torpedo Boat Squadron'''
***** [[Brave-class fast patrol boat#Denmark|''Søløven''-class]] fast torpedo boats (in the process of being replaced by ''Flyvefisken''-class patrol vessels): ''Søløven'' (P510), ''Søridderen'' (P511), ''Søbjørnen'' (P512), ''Søhesten'' (P513), ''Søhunden'' (P514), ''Søulven'' (P515)
***** [[Willemoes-class missile boat|''Willemoes''-class fast missile boats]]: ''Bille'' (P540), ''Bredal'' (P541), ''Hammer'' (P542), ''Huitfeldt'' (P543), ''Krieger'' (P544), ''Norby'' (P545), ''Rodsteen'' (P546), [[HDMS Sehested (P547)|''Sehested'']] (P547), ''Suenson'' (P548), ''Willemoes'' (P549)
***** ''Flyvefisken''-class patrol vessel: [[HDMS Flyvefisken (P550)|''Flyvefisken'']] (P550) (commissioned 19 December 1989)
***** Oilers: ''Rimfaxe'' (A568), ''Skinfaxe'' (A569)
***** 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 <ref>[http://navalhistory.dk/Danish/Historien/1989_2003/Moba_Historie.htm MOBA udfases (2003)]</ref>
**** '''Submarine Squadron'''
***** ''Narwhal''-class submarines: ''Narhvalen'' (S320), ''Nordkaperen'' (S321)
***** [[Kobben-class submarine|''Kobben''-class submarine]]: ''Tumleren'' (S322; bought from Norway and commissioned on 20 October 1989)
***** ''Dolphin''-class submarines: ''Spækhuggeren'' (S327; decommissioned 31 July 1989), ''Springeren'' (S329)
**** '''Mine Vessels Squadron'''
***** ''Lindormen''-class cable minelayers: ''Lindormen'' (N43), ''Lossen'' (N44)
***** ''Falster''-class minelayers: ''Falster'' (N80), ''Fyen'' (N81), ''Møen'' (N82), ''Sjælland'' (N83)
***** [[Adjutant-class minesweeper|''Sund''-class minesweepers]] (in the process of being replaced by ''Flyvefisken''-class patrol vessels): ''Alssund'' (M572; decommissioned 30 November 1989), ''Egernsund'' (M573; decommissioned 31 December 1989), ''Grønsund'' (M574), ''Guldborgsund'' (M575), ''Ulvsund'' (M577; had been refitted as a minehunter, decommissioned 31 December 1989), ''Vilsund'' (M578)
**** '''Fishery Protection Squadron'''
***** ''Hvidbjørnen''-class offshore patrol frigates: ''Hvidbjørnen'' (F348), ''Vædderen'' (F349), ''Ingolf'' (F350), ''Fylla'' (F351)
***** ''Beskytteren''-class offshore patrol frigate: [[EML Admiral Pitka (A230)|''Beskytteren'']] (F340)
***** ''Agdlek''-class arctic patrol cutters: [[HDMS Agdlek (Y386)|''Agdlek'']] (Y386), [[HDMS Agpa (Y387)|''Agpa'']] (Y387), [[HDMS Tulugaq (Y388)|''Tulugaq'']] (Y388)
***** ''Barsø''-class naval patrol cutters: ''Barsø'' (Y300), ''Drejø'' (Y301), ''Romsø'' (Y302), ''Samsø'' (Y303), ''Thurø'' (Y304), ''Vejrø'' (Y305), ''Farø'' (Y306), ''Læsø'' (Y307), ''Rømø'' (Y308)
**** [[Danish Naval Air Squadron]], [[Værløse Air Base]] (8x [[Westland Lynx|Lynx Mk.80]] helicopters)
**** [[Coastal artillery]], with truck-mounted [[Harpoon (missile)|AGM-84 Harpoon]] [[anti-ship missile]]s

==== Navy Bases ====

Main bases: 
* [[Holmen Naval Base]]
* [[Frederikshavn|Frederikshavn Naval Base]] 
* [[Korsør|Korsør Naval Base]]

Minor naval bases: 
* Marine Station [[Aarhus]] (Danish Navy fleet command base)
* [[Esbjerg|Marine Station Esbjerg]] (NATO reinforcements port)
* [[Kangilinnguit|Marine Station Grønnedal]] in [[Greenland]]
* [[Thorshavn|Marine Station Thorshavn]] in the [[Faroe Islands]]
* [[Lammefjorden|Torpedo Station Kongsøre]] ([[Danish Frogman Corps|Frogman Corps]] and mine divers base) 
* [[Syddjurs Municipality|Lyngsbæk Pier]] (Naval mines depot)

Coastal fortifications:
*[[:da:Stevnsfortet|Stevnsfortet]] at the southern entrance to [[Øresund]]  
*[[:da:Langelandsfortet|Langelandsfortet]] at the southern entrance to the [[Great Belt]]

Sea surveillance stations:
* [[Møn|Marine Station Møn]]
* [[Gedser|Marine Station Gedser]]
* [[Bornholm|Marine Station Bornholm]]

==International operations==
{{Update|section|date=January 2023}}
[[File:BALTOPS 2002 - HDMS Hvidbjoernen, HMS Chatam, USS Cape St. George.jpg|thumb|{{HDMS|Hvidbjørnen|F360|6}} (front) beside {{HMS|Chatham|F87|6}} and {{USS|Cape St. George|CG-71|6}} during international exercise [[BALTOPS]]]]

[[File:USCGC Tiger Shark and HDMS Vaedderen.jpg|thumb|[[United States Coast Guard|US Coast Guard]] cutter [[Marine Protector-class coastal patrol boat|''Tiger Shark'']] pulls alongside {{HDMS|Vædderen|F359|6}} during a damage control exercise]]

The contemporary Royal Danish Navy has participated in the following international operations:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Operation
! Participating units
|-
|1990–91 || [[Operation Desert Shield]] || {{HDMS|Olfert Fischer|F355|3}} ({{Sclass|Niels Juel|corvette|4}})
|-
|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 oil spill#Cleanup|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 || [[Iraq War|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 ({{Sclass|Flyvefisken|patrol vessel|4}}),  Peter Tordenskiold F356 (''Niels Juel'' class)
|-
|2007 || [[Standing NRF Maritime Group 1]] || ''Olfert Fischer'' F355 (''Niels Juel'' class)
|-
|2008 || [[World Food Programme|WFP]] protection force at [[Horn of Africa|the Horn of Africa]] || {{HDMS|Thetis|F357|3}} ({{Sclass|Thetis|ocean patrol vessel|4}})
|-
|2008 || [[Combined Task Force 150|Task Force 150]] || [[Danish Task Group]] ([[Flag officer|flag]]) and {{HDMS|Absalon|L16|3}} ([[flagship]], {{Sclass|Absalon|support ship|4}})
|-
|2009 || Flagship [[Standing NRF Mine Countermeasures Group 1|SNMCMG1]] ||  ''Thetis'' F357 (''Thetis'' class)
|-
|2009 || [[Combined Task Force 151|Task Force 151]] || ''Absalon'' L16 (''Absalon'' class)
|-
|2010 || Flagship [[Standing NRF Maritime Group 1|SNMG1]] || {{HDMS|Esbern Snare|L17|3}} and ''Absalon'' L16 (both ''Absalon'' class)
|-
|2011– || [[Operation Ocean Shield]] ||  ''Absalon'' L16  and ''Esben Snare'' L17 (''Absalon'' class) ''Iver Huitfeldt'' F361 (''Iver Huitfeldt'' class) <ref>{{cite web|url=http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/internationalt/Pages/2011-11-01absl.aspx |title=Absalon genindtræder i dag i NATO's antipiraterioperation |access-date=2012-01-20 |date=2011-11-01 |language=da |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104061911/http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/internationalt/Pages/2011-11-01absl.aspx |archive-date=January 4, 2012 }}</ref>
|-
|2012 || [[Combined Task Force 151|Task Force 150]] || [[Danish Task Group]] ([[Flag officer|flag]])<ref>[http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/internationalt/Pages/DanmarkharovertagetkommandoenoverCombinedTaskForce151.aspx Denmark has taken command of CTF 151] (in Danish) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119113645/http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/internationalt/Pages/DanmarkharovertagetkommandoenoverCombinedTaskForce151.aspx |date=January 19, 2012 }}</ref>
|}

==Vessels==

{{see also|List of active Royal Danish Navy ships}}

[[File:HDMS Vaedderen (F359).jpg|thumb|''Vædderen'' (F359), {{Sclass|Thetis|ocean patrol vessel|4}}]]

The Danish navy currently operates:
* 12 larger vessels ([[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] > 1,500 [[Tonne|t(m)]])
* 4&nbsp;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 boat]]s, 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 {{Sclass|Iver Huitfeldt|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 {{Sclass|Knud Rasmussen|patrol vessel|0}} 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|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.<ref>[http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/eng/International/ARK/Hist/Pages/default.aspx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219125308/http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/eng/International/ARK/Hist/Pages/default.aspx|date=February 19, 2014}}</ref>

==Air service==

===Early years===

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 (bird)|kite]]). Later the same year, a private funding effort made it possible to purchase two [[FBA Type A|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 [[Øresund|the Sound]], monitoring German mine-laying activities.

From 1914 to 1917, ''[[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 504]]s were purchased for training purposes, and based in [[Ringsted]] between the two important straits.

===Fighter aircraft===

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 [[Licensed production|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 plane]]s, 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 [[Erik the Red's Land|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navalhistory.dk/danish/flyvning/flyvetjenesten.htm|title=Marinens Flyvevæsen/Søværnets Flyvetjeneste (1912–2003)|access-date=26 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024091704/http://www.navalhistory.dk/danish/Flyvning/Flyvetjenesten.htm|archive-date=24 October 2014}}</ref>

In 1933, two [[Hawker Nimrod]]s 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]].<ref name="navalhistory.dk">{{cite web |url=http://www.navalhistory.dk/danish/flyvning/flyvetjenesten.htm |title=Marinens Flyvevæsen/Søværnets Flyvetjeneste (1912-2003) |access-date=2014-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024091704/http://www.navalhistory.dk/danish/Flyvning/Flyvetjenesten.htm |archive-date=2014-10-24 }}</ref>

===Attack aircraft===

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.<ref name="navalhistory.dk"/>

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.4/34]]s were to be produced at [[Orlogsværftet]], along with 12 Italian [[Macchi C.200]] fighters. None of these were produced before the [[Operation Weserübung|German invasion of Denmark]] on April 9, 1940.<ref name="navalhistory.dk"/>

===Helicopters===

[[File:Danish Navy Lynx with 50cal.jpg|thumb|[[Westland Lynx]] while still in service in the Danish Navy]]

Helicopters are deployed from the [[Royal Danish Air Force|air force's]] 723rd [[Squadron (aviation)|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 {{Sclass|Thetis|ocean patrol vessel|4}} in operations in [[Greenland]] and the [[Faeroe Islands]], but also on {{Sclass|Absalon|support ship|4}} in international operations and {{Sclass|Knud Rasmussen|patrol vessel|4}} 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]] (1980–2018) helicopters. In 1989, the Navy had one 
[[Westland Lynx|Lynx 23]], six [[Westland Lynx|Lynx 80]], and two [[Westland Lynx|Lynx 90]].<ref name="World's Air Forces 1989">{{cite journal|title=World's Air Forces 1989|journal=Flight International|date=29 November 1989|page=52|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1989/1989%20-%203692.html|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref>

On 6 December 2012, the [[Royal Danish Air Force]] officially ordered nine [[MH-60R Seahawk]] helicopters, with all delivered in 2018,<ref>[http://www.deagel.com/news/Denmark-Signs-Letter-of-Offer-and-Acceptance-for-Nine-MH-60R-Seahawk-Helicopters_n000011029.aspx Denmark Signs Letter of Offer and Acceptance for Nine MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters] – Deagel.com, December 6, 2012</ref> following a competition on the procurement involving the [[NH90]], [[AgustaWestland]]s [[AW159]] Wildcat and the [[AgustaWestland AW101|AW101]] along with Sikorsky's other bid [[H-92 Superhawk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nytkampfly.dk/archives/1428|title=Helikopterindkøb – præsentation af feltet|access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref>

==Ranks and insignia==
{{main|Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Navy}}

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Denmark}}
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; width: 100%"
! Danish Pay Grade<ref name=forpers>{{cite web |title=Historik |url=http://forpers.dk/hr/Pages/Historik.aspx |website=forpers.dk |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Denmark)|Ministry of Defence]] |access-date=26 September 2018 |language=da}}</ref> !! colspan=2 |  !! colspan=2 | M406 !! colspan=2 | M405 !! colspan=2 | M404 !! colspan=2 | M403 !! colspan=2 | M402 !! colspan=2 | M401 !! colspan=2 | M332<br />M331<br />M322 !! colspan=2 | M321 !! colspan=3 | M312 !! colspan=3 | M311 !! colspan=6 | M310 !! colspan=6 | 
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Denmark}}
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; width: 100%"
!Danish Pay Grade<ref name=forpers/>||colspan=6|M232 ||colspan=2|M231 ||colspan=2|M221 ||colspan=6| ||colspan=3|M212 ||colspan=3|M211 ||colspan=4|M113 ||colspan=10|M112 
|}

<gallery class="center" caption= "Branch of Service" >
RDN gunner service badge.svg|Våben, Artilleri<br /><small>(Gunner)</small>
RDN torpedo service badge.svg|Våben, Torpedo<br /><small>(Torpedo)</small>
RDN communication service badge.svg|Kommunikation <br /><small>(Communication)</small>
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Submarines in the Royal Danish Navy]]

==References==

{{Portal|Denmark|Faroe Islands}}
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==

*{{cite journal |last1=Ledet|first1=Michel|title=Le Heinkel HE 8|journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=March 2002 |issue=108 |pages=36–45 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Ledet|first1=Michel|title=Le Heinkel HE 8|journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=April 2002 |issue=109 |pages=30–38 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Royal Danish Navy}}

*[http://www2.forsvaret.dk/eng/Organisation/Navy/Pages/Navy.aspx Official website] {{in lang|en}} 
*[http://www.navalhistory.dk/indexUS.htm Danish Naval History] {{in lang|en}} 
{{Military of Denmark}}
{{Allied Maritime Command}}
{{Navies in Europe}}

[[Category:Royal Danish Navy| ]]
[[Category:Military of Denmark]]
[[Category:Military of Greenland]]
[[Category:Military of the Faroe Islands]]