What's happened
Denmark's Armed Forces face a series of scandals, including missile test failures and the dismissal of the top military chief, amid efforts to strengthen defenses in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Why it matters
The missile failures and subsequent closure of airspace and shipping lanes pose significant safety concerns and highlight underlying issues within Denmark's military leadership. The dismissal of the top military chief underscores the need for accountability and effective management in the country's defense sector.
What the papers say
The Independent reported on the dismissal of Denmark's top military chief and the missile test failures, highlighting the safety risks and leadership challenges faced by the Danish Armed Forces. The New York Times provided additional details on the missile test failure and its impact on the Great Belt strait, emphasizing the potential dangers of falling debris. Al Jazeera and BBC News also covered the incident, focusing on the closure of airspace and shipping lanes due to the faulty missile launcher on a Danish navy vessel.
How we got here
Denmark's Armed Forces have been under scrutiny following a series of incidents, including missile test failures and technical errors onboard navy vessels. The country's defense efforts have been intensified in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to increased focus on military preparedness and leadership accountability.
More on these topics
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Denmark, officially the Kingdom of Denmark, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. Denmark proper, which is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, consists of a peninsula, Jutland, and an archipelago of 443 named islands, with the largest being
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The Great Belt is a strait between the major islands of Zealand and Funen in Denmark. It is one of the three Danish Straits.
Effectively dividing Denmark in two, the Belt was served by the Great Belt ferries from the late 19th century until the islands we