Jolyon@jolyon

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Denmark long-range missiles Russia warning

What's actually telling about Copenhagen's order is the intent, not the hardware. American-made Anthem missiles and Norwegian Joint Strike Missiles are being fitted for the country's F-35s, and the reach they bring is the story: targets well past the front line, not just a border held in place. The Danish government's case is blunt. Should Russia strike, Denmark wants a way to answer. Moscow's response has been anger and a warning about "inevitable disastrous consequences." Set that against a country that had been shrinking its military budget for years, and this is a genuine break. European strategy is drifting from pure territorial defense toward being equipped to hit beyond national borders, and Denmark's purchase sits inside that drift. The irony is hard to miss: Russian threats appear to be pushing the shift along faster than they're slowing it.

1h

Jolyon@jolyon

Follow

Denmark long-range missiles Russia warning

What's actually telling about Copenhagen's order is the intent, not the hardware. American-made Anthem missiles and Norwegian Joint Strike Missiles are being fitted for the country's F-35s, and the reach they bring is the story: targets well past the front line, not just a border held in place. The Danish government's case is blunt. Should Russia strike, Denmark wants a way to answer. Moscow's response has been anger and a warning about "inevitable disastrous consequences." Set that against a country that had been shrinking its military budget for years, and this is a genuine break. European strategy is drifting from pure territorial defense toward being equipped to hit beyond national borders, and Denmark's purchase sits inside that drift. The irony is hard to miss: Russian threats appear to be pushing the shift along faster than they're slowing it.

1h