Denmark plans to expand military draft to women for the first time and extend service terms

By JAN M. OLSEN
Associated Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s government wants to increase the number of Danes doing military service by making conscription mandatory for women and by increasing the time of service to 11 months for both genders. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Wednesday that “we do not rearm because we want war. We are rearming because we want to avoid it.” Denmark, a NATO member, has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia’s invasion. All physically fit men over the age of 18 are liable for military service, which lasts four months. The government is hoping to get the law changed next year, to take effect in 2026.