Royal Danish Navy

Royal Danish Navy
Søværnet
Ivar Huitfeldt, Niels Juel, Herluf Trolle, Olfert Fischer, A. H. Vedel
Insignia
Naval Ensign and jack

The Royal Danish Navy (

The geographic layout of

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 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. Niels Juel led the Royal 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.

General admiral lieutenant

In 1712, Tordenskjold succeeded in burning 80 Swedish naval cruisers, which played a large part in the outcome of the

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.

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

Interwar period and World War II

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

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

During

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

On 18 August 2022, the

Stevnsfortet

Langelandsfortet

Frederikshavn Naval Base

Korsør Naval Base

Holmen Naval Base

Admiral Danish Fleet

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Danish naval bases and coastal fortresses in 1989

The navy headquarters was located in

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:^[14]

• 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: HDMS Peder Skram (F352), HDMS Herluf Trolle (F353)
        • Niels Juel-class corvettes: HDMS Niels Juel (F354), HDMS Olfert Fischer (F355), HDMS Peter Tordenskiold (F356)
        • Daphne-class seaward defence vessels (in the process of being replaced by 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)
        • Oiler: Sleipner (A559)
      • Torpedo Boat Squadron
        • 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 fast missile boats: Bille (P540), Bredal (P541), Hammer (P542), Huitfeldt (P543), Krieger (P544), Norby (P545), Rodsteen (P546), Sehested (P547), Suenson (P548), Willemoes (P549)
        • Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel: 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 ^[15]
      • Submarine Squadron
        • Narwhal-class submarines: Narhvalen (S320), Nordkaperen (S321)
        • 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)
        • 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:
          Beskytteren
          (F340)
        • Agdlek-class arctic patrol cutters: Agdlek (Y386), Agpa (Y387), 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 Lynx Mk.80
        helicopters)
      • Coastal artillery, with truck-mounted AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles

Navy Bases

Main bases:

• Holmen Naval Base
• Frederikshavn Naval Base
• Korsør 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
• 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

Navy Staff

OPLOG Frederikshavn

OPLOG
Korsør

Royal Danish Naval Academy

class=notpageimage|

Major land facilities of the Danish Navy. Arctic Command is beyond the map.

The

The

Today the fleet is divided into three squadrons:

• Vessels operated by 1st Squadron
  .
• 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.

Naval Operational Logistic Sites

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

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

Naval schools

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

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (January 2023)

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

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.^[18]

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). 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,

.

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

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.^[19]

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.^[20]

Attack aircraft

In 1932, the navy purchased its first offensive capacity, two

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.^[20]

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

Macchi C.200 fighters. None of these were produced before the German invasion of Denmark on April 9, 1940.^[20]

Helicopters

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

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

(1980–2018) helicopters. In 1989, the Navy had one Lynx 23, six Lynx 80, and two Lynx 90.^[21]

On 6 December 2012, the

H-92 Superhawk.^[23]

Ranks and insignia

Main article: Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Navy

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of

commissioned 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[24] v t e
			Admiral		Viceadmiral		Kontreadmiral		Flotilleadmiral		Kommandør		Kommandørkaptajn		Orlogskaptajn		Kaptajnløjtnant		Premierløjtnant			Løjtnant
Danish Pay Grade[25]			M406		M405		M404		M403		M402		M401		M332 M331 M322		M321		M312			M311			M310

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

NATO rank scale	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Royal Danish Navy[24] v t e
	Chefsergent						Seniorsergent		Oversergent								Sergent			Sergent SØ			Korporal				Marinespecialist		Marineoverkonstabel						Marinekonstabel
Danish Pay Grade[25]	M232						M231		M221								M212			M211			M113				M112

• Branch of Service
• 
  Våben, Artilleri
  (Gunner)
• 
  Våben, Torpedo
  (Torpedo)
• 
  Kommunikation
  (Communication)

See also

• Submarines in the Royal Danish Navy

References

1. ^ "The Danish Defence Agreement 2005 – 2009 – Navy". Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
2. ^ "Equipment used in the Navy". Archived from the original on 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
3. ^ "Danmark bombede Algier – og glemte alt om det". videnskab.dk. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
4. ^ "CIA: The World Factbook". Archived from the original on June 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
5. ^ 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)
6. ^ "Den danske flåde 1510–2010" (in Danish) Retrieved 5 June 2010. Archived May 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
7. ISBN 978-0-7509-4279-9
   .
8. ^ "Danish Naval Historical Time Line: August". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
9. ^ ^{a b} "Danish Navy left without any military options". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
10. ^ "Den danske Flotille 1944–1945" (in Danish). Retrieved 2008-07-28.
11. ^ "Video showing Danish mobile missile battery firing". Youtube.com. 2007-03-04. Archived from the original on 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
12. ^ "Materiel i Søværnet" (in Danish). Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
13. ^ "Denmark to invest $5.5 billion in new warships". Reuters. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
14. ^ "Fleet Listings: Navy ships 1945-1989". Danish Naval History. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
15. ^ MOBA udfases (2003)
16. ^ "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.
17. ^ Denmark has taken command of CTF 151 (in Danish) Archived January 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
18. ^ [1] Archived February 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
19. ^ "Marinens Flyvevæsen/Søværnets Flyvetjeneste (1912–2003)". Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
20. ^ ^{a b c} "Marinens Flyvevæsen/Søværnets Flyvetjeneste (1912-2003)". Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
21. ^ "World's Air Forces 1989". Flight International: 52. 29 November 1989. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
22. ^ Denmark Signs Letter of Offer and Acceptance for Nine MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters – Deagel.com, December 6, 2012
23. ^ "Helikopterindkøb – præsentation af feltet". Retrieved 26 October 2014.
24. ^ ^{a b} "Søværnets Gradstegn" (PDF). forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
25. ^ ^{a b} "Historik". forpers.dk (in Danish). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 September 2018.

Bibliography

• 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Danish Navy.

• Official website (in English)
• Danish Naval History (in English)