Denmark starts 11-month conscription for 1,600 youths

About 1,600 young Danes began 11 months of military service on Monday, the first intake under Denmark's extended conscription system.

Princess Isabella, 19, was among the new conscripts. She joined the Guard Hussar Regiment at Antvorskov Barracks in Slagelse.

Denmark, a NATO member, decided in 2024 to lengthen military service from four months and open it to women. The change followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Colonel Michael Villumsen said Denmark was increasing combat readiness through conscription because of the security situation facing NATO. “Look east. Need I say more?” he said during a visit to the Oksbol military base.

Conscription in Denmark is largely voluntary. If there are not enough recruits, others are selected by lottery. This year, about 20 percent of conscripts are women.

Under the new system, conscripts spend the first three to five months on basic military skills including shooting, first aid and physical training, then move to operational missions such as surveillance and drone piloting.