Drones have been seen across the country, including over military sites, since September 22nd, prompting brief closures at airports including Copenhagen, Aalborg and Billund and a ban on all civilian drone flights during last week's EU summits.
Police have not been able to identify the perpetrators but government officials, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, have pointed the finger at Russia.
Frederiksen said in a video clip posted last week on social media that only one country "poses a threat to Europe's security -- and that's Russia".
Russia has denied any connection to the incidents.
Military intelligence service FE last week released an assessment in which it stated Russia is conducting a hybrid war against Nato and the West, but that the military threat to Denmark is not raised.
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“We were not well enough prepared for that threat," Poulsen said when asked about the drone flights on Tuesday, during debates on national broadcaster DR following the official opening of parliament.
“I don’t want to give Danes the impression that everything went well,” continued.
The minister reiterated that the source of the drones is still unknown.
“That’s the point of a hybrid war. You’re not supposed to know who’s behind it,” he said.
Poulsen also said during the debates – DR hosted debates on two separate channels on Tuesday – that the military and police need better capacities to respond to drones.
Opposition politicians and commentators have both aimed criticism at the government over the response to the drones, including the failure to shoot down or capture one, which would give authorities a better chance to identify their origin.
“This entire question is about our need to do better. Of course we must be better prepared. Anything else would be odd,” he said.
In an interview with DR, Frederiksen warned against “the idea that you can defend yourself against anything in a hybrid war.”
She said she did not want to comment on the “operational” aspect of the response to the drone flights.
Several countries have provided Denmark with new drone equipment after discussions during last week’s EU summit in Copenhagen, according to the Ritzau news wire.
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