Denmark has decided not to proceed with acquiring the Barak MX air defense system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), following a Defence Command recommendation.
Instead, the country will seek other capabilities “with greater immediate combat power,” according to the Danish Ministry of Defence’s released statement.
The Israeli-made system was among the options being considered to meet Copenhagen’s urgent air defense needs, especially after drone incursions over several Danish military installations.
However, the proposal has split the parties behind the defense deal, with some lawmakers opposing the move and others viewing it as a near-term solution until the Eurosam SAMP/T system becomes available in 2028, the Danish public broadcaster DR reported in early October.
In September 2025, Copenhagen selected the SAMP/T system for its long-range defense and announced that it was deciding between “one or more systems” of the Norwegian NASAMS, the German IRIS-T, and the French VL MICA for its medium-range needs.
Barak MX
The IAI-made Barak MX is an integrated air and missile defense system that can defend against a range of aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced ballistic missiles.
Unlike the European-made air SAMP/T system, Barak MX features a “soft kill” counter-drone solution and could have been delivered to Denmark by the summer of 2026.
It was used during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025, and procuring it would be a wise choice for Denmark, Dr. Uzi Rubin, a missile defense expert at The Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Defense, told DR earlier this month.
The system also comes with different kinetic interceptors for varying ranges: short-range (15 kilometers/9 miles), medium-range (35 kilometers/22 miles), long-range (70 kilometers/43 miles), and extended long-range (150 kilometers/93 miles).
Within Europe, Slovakia has been the only confirmed future operator of the Israeli system after it approved a 560-million-euro ($583 million) procurement deal in December 2024.
