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DEFENCE

Danish air force buys electric planes to cut emissions

The Danish air force will acquire two light electric planes, the defence ministry announced Thursday in what it said was a world first for a military force and part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Danish air force buys electric planes to cut emissions
The Velis Electro is the only electric aircraft that has been certified or authorised to fly by the EU's Aviation Safety Agency. Photo: Pipistrel

The two Velis Electro propeller-driven planes made by the Slovenian company Pipistrel will supplement existing training aircraft.

“Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to climate chang, and this also applies to ​​defence,” Denmark’s defence minister, Trine Bramsen, said in a statement. “That is why we have decided to procure electric aircraft for our air force. The electric planes will be used for training, among other things. The experience will be important for future equipment acquisitions in the field of defence.”

The potential for electric aircraft will now be evaluated over a two-year period. 

The Velis Electro is the only electric aircraft that has been certified or authorised to fly by the EU’s Aviation Safety Agency, EASA.

The Danish defence ministry announced in May a plan to reduce its emissions, but that has so far consisted largely of equipping buildings and ships with LED light bulbs and encouraging biodiversity on military bases.

The two electric aircraft will similarly only make a symbolic dent in the 42 million litres of fuel the Danish military consumes each year, emitting some 90,000 tonnes of CO2.

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MILITARY

Denmark to increase military presence in Arctic: minister

Denmark will increase the presence of its military in the Arctic region in coming years, Minister of Defence Trine Bramsen has said.

Denmark to increase military presence in Arctic: minister
File photo: Liselotte Sabroe / Ritzau Scanpix

The Arctic region is one of five key areas for Denmark in relation to defence, the minister said in an interview with Jyllands-Posten.

“With ice melting due to climate change, many new challenges are taking place and new threats are emerging in the north,” Bramsen said.

“The presence of the military in the Arctic will be strengthened in the coming years in reaction to these developments, to ensure stability and security,” she added.

Exact measurements must initially be discussed by parliament’s defence committee, but the minister said one option would be to use some of the 1.5 billion kroner added to the defence budget in January this year.

“It is crucial that the military is able to ensure security and safety across the Kingdom,” Bramsen said.

In addition to the Arctic, Denmark’s military has four other key areas, the minister said.

Those include better defence against cyber-attacks; doing more for Denmark’s veterans and ongoing recruitment; as well as contribution to the national focus on converting to green energy, given the large number of aircraft, ships, buildings and vehicles owned by the military.

READ ALSO: The Local speaks to Danish veterans prior to Invictus Games

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