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.