Danish Women Facing Conscription

Women in Denmark who turn 18 will now be required to register for assessment, potentially leading to military service. The rule change came in on Tuesday, July 1st. It means that once all the available female volunteers have been recruited, a lottery system will be used to top up the numbers.

With the overall number of Danes doing military service annually expected to rise to 6,500 by 2033, it suggests that Denmark has joined the group of NATO members increasing defence spending—against the backdrop of a U.S. administration more focused on its national interests.

Military conscription chief Colonel Kenneth Strom told reporters the move is

it’s based on the current security situation in order to get more combat power and have those skills that are needed for either the Army, Navy, Air Force or even the Special Operations Forces.

Despite the rush to rearm within parts of Europe, doubts remain about the ethics and efficacy of deploying women in frontline combat roles.