List of active Royal Danish Navy ships

This is a list of the active vessels of the Royal Danish Navy . ^[1]

Current Fleet

Navy fleet

Combat fleet

Class	In service	Origin	Picture	Type	Ship	No.	Comm.	Builder	Displacement	Notes
Frigates (9)
Absalon class	2	Denmark		ASW Frigate	Absalon	F341	2004	Odense Staalskibsværft	6,600 tonnes	[2] [3] Flexible mission capabilities through modules. [4] (naval warfare, land attack, command ship, hospital ship, disaster relief)
					Esbern Snare	F342	2005
Iver Huitfeldt class	3	Denmark		Air-defence frigate	Iver Huitfeldt	F361	2011	Odense Staalskibsværft	6,645 tonnes	[5] [3] Flexible mission capabilities through modules. [4] (naval warfare, land attack, command ship, hospital ship, disaster relief)
					Peter Willemoes	F362	2011
					Niels Juel	F363	2011
Thetis class Stanflex 3000	4	Denmark		Oceanic patrol frigate	Thetis	F357	1991	Svendborg Skibsværft	3,500 tonnes	[6] [3] To be replaced by a frigate with ASW capacity. [7]
					Triton	F358	1991
					Vædderen	F359	1992
					Hvidbjørnen	F360	1992
Offshore patrol vessels (9)
Knud Rasmussen class	3	Denmark		Arctic patrol ships	Knud Rasmussen	P570	2008	Karstensens Skibsværft  [ da ]	1,720 tonnes	[4] [3]
					Ejnar Mikkelsen	P571	2009
					Lauge Koch  [ dk ]	P572	2017
Diana class	6	Denmark		Patrol vessel	Diana	P520	2007	Faaborg Værft A/S Karlskrona Varvet	246 tonnes	[3]
					Freja	P521	2007
					Havfruen  [ dk ]	P522	2008
					Najaden  [ dk ]	P523	2008
					Nymfen  [ dk ]	P524	2009
					Rota  [ dk ]	P525	2009
Light boats
SB90E class	4	Sweden		Landing Craft Personnel	–	LCP1	2003 – 2004	Storebro Bruk  [ sv ]	7.2 tonnes	[8] Used with Absalon class
					–	LCP2
					–	LCP3
					–	LCP4
	2		Illustration, same variant, fully orange	Search and rescue boat	Dagmar	SAR1	2007			Used with Knud Rasmussen class, modified with ice-reinforcements and upgraded engines.
					Naja	SAR2	2007
MHV RHIB	29	–		RHIB Rigid-hulled inflatable boats	–	–	–	–	–	–
Mine warfare ships (6)
Holm class  [ dk ]	6	Denmark		Minesweeper	Hirsholm  [ dk ]	MSD5	2007	Danish yacht	125 tonnes	[9]
					Saltholm  [ dk ]	MSD6	2008
MSF class  [ dk ] Mindre standardfartøj	4	Denmark		Remote controlled mine-sweeping drones	–	MSF1	1998	Danyard	125 tonnes	[10]
					–	MSF2	1998
					–	MSF3	1999
					–	MSF4	1999

Auxiliary ships

Class	In service	Origin	Picture	Type	Ship	No.	Comm.	Builder	Displacement	Notes
Logistic support
Sleipner class	1	Denmark		Logistic support ship	Sleipner  [ dk ]	A559	1986	Åbenrå Shipyard A/S	465 tonnes	[1] [11] [12]
Stena 4Runner I class  [ de ]	1	Italy		RO/RO Roll-on / roll-off	Ark Forwarder	A98	2007	Societa Esercizio Cantieri	21,104 tonnes	Launched in 1998, chartered by Danish Navy since 2007 as part of NATO Response Force  [ da ]. [13]
–	1	France		RO/RO Roll-on / roll-off	Tor Dania	–	2007	Societé Metallurgique & Navale Dunkerque-Normandie	21,491 tonnes	Launched in 1978, rebuilt in 1995, chartered by Danish Navy since 2007 as part of NATO Response Force  [ da ]. [14]
–	1	Italy		RO/RO Roll-on / roll-off	Tor Futura	–	2004	Cantiere Navale Visentini	18,469 tonnes	Launched in 1996, chartered by Danish Navy since 2004 as part of NATO Response Force  [ da ]. [15]
Diving vessels (1)
Flyvefisken class SF300 – Serie 3	1	Denmark		Diving support vessel	Søløven  [ da ]	Y311 (former P563)	1996	Danyard	487 tonnes	[16] Surveillance diving support since 2012
Research vessels
Supply class  [ da ]	2	Denmark		Environmental protection vessel	Gunnar Thorson	A560	1996	Ørskov Christensen Stålskibsværft A/S  [ de ]	1,660 tonnes	[1]
					Gunnar Seidenfaden  [ da ]	A561	1996
Holm class  [ da ]	2	Denmark		Hydrographical survey craft	Birkholm	A541	2006	Danish yacht	125 tonnes	[1]
					Fyrholm  [ da ]	A542	2006
Seatruck class  [ da ]	2	Denmark		Environmental protection vessel	Mette-Miljø  [ da ]	A562	1996	Carl B Hoffmann A/S (Esbjerg)	247 tonnes	[17] [18]
					Marie-Miljø  [ da ]	A564
Miljø class  [ da ]	3	Denmark		Environmental protection vessel	Miljø 101	Y340	1996	Eivinds plasticjolle- og bådeværft	16 tonnes	[19]
					Miljø 102	Y341	1996
					Miljø 103	Y342	2008
Training vessels (2)
Holm class  [ da ]	2	Denmark		Training boat	Ertholm  [ da ]	A543	2006	Danish yacht	159 tonnes	[1] 2 training boats (HOLM class) 2 hydrographical survey craft (HOLM class)
					Alholm  [ da ]	A544	2007
Tugboats
Arvak class  [ da ]	2	Denmark		Tugboat	Arvak	Y344	2002	Hvide Sande Skibs- & Baadebyggeri	–	[20]
					Alsin	Y345	2002
–	2	Denmark	–	Harbour tugboat	Balder	–	1983	Assens Skibsværft  [ da ]	32 tonnes	[21]
					Hermod	–	1983

Home guard

Class	In service	Origin	Picture	Type	Ship	No.	Comm.	Builder	Displacement	Notes
Patrol and SAR vessels (29)
MHV 800 class  [ da ]	17	Denmark		Patrol and rescue vessel	Aldebaraan	MHV801	1992	Søby Værft  [ da ]	83 tonnes	[22]
					Carina	MHV802	1992
					Aries	MHV803	1993
					Andromeda	MHV804	1993
					Gemini	MHV805	1994
					Dubhe	MHV806	1994
					Jupiter	MHV807	1994
					Lyra	MHV808	1995
					Antares	MHV809	1995
					Luna	MHV810	1996
					Apollo	MHV811	1996
					Hercules	MHV812	1997
					Baunen	MHV813	1997
					Budstikken	MHV814	1998
					Kureren	MHV815	1999
					Patrioten	MHV816	2000
					Partisan	MHV817	2000
MHV900 class	12	Denmark		Patrol and rescue vessel	Enø	MHV901	2003	Søby Værft  [ da ]	87 tonnes	[23]
					Manø	MHV902	2004
					Hjortø	MHV903	2005
					Lyø	MHV904	2005
					Askø	MHV905	2006
					Fænø	MHV906	2007
					Hvidsten	MHV907	2008
					Brigaden	MHV908	2008
					Speditøren	MHV909	2009
					Ringen	MHV910	2009
					Bopa	MHV911	2009
					Holger Danske	MHV912	2011

Royal yacht fleet

Class	In service	Origin	Picture	Type	Ship	No.	Comm.	Builder	Displacement	Notes
Yacht
–	1	Denmark		Royal Yacht	Dannebrog	A540	1932	Orlogsverftet	1,238 tonnes	[1] Can participate to surveillance and sea-rescue missions
Sailing yachts
–	2	–	Illustration comparable vessel	Sailing vessel	Svanen	Y101	–	–	–	[1]
					Thyra	Y102	–

Ships on order

Class	In service	Origin	Picture	Type	Comm.	Builder	Displacement	Notes
Offshore patrol vessels
MPV80 class	6	Denmark	–	Modular Offshore patrol vessel and research vessels	2029	Odense Maritime Technology, Terma	1,100 tonnes [24]	Agreement signed in June 2023 for the development of the ships. [25] Expected to feature anti-surface warfare missiles as of 2024. [26]

Planned future fleet

Danish navy

Submarines

In June 2023, Denmark announced considering to reintroduce submarines into its navy. The need to secure the Faroe Islands, Greenland, the Arctic and the Baltic Sea justifies this consideration. ^[27] An alternative mentioned by Denmark would be a close cooperation with allies. ^[28]

Surface combat fleet

Denmark is considering its options regarding the future replacement of the Thetis class and the Absalon class. ^[29] A potential successor of the Thetis class was unveiled in September 2023 by OSK Design, the Arctic Frigate. The Danish Navy mentioned that it would need the successor of the Thetis to enter service in 2032. ^[30]

In May 2024, several ministries and industry representatives unveiled a report for the long-term strategy of the Danish Navy. ^{[31] [32]} The plan is focusing on a 20-25 year time period. During that period, 15 frigates and offshore patrol vessels would need to be acquired, and 40 lighter vessels would be needed.

In March 2025, the Danish Armed Forces announced a new plan for the future that includes: ^[33]

• Next generation of large vessels (frigates and ships for the Atlantic and the Arctic): ^[34]
  • Air defence frigates
  • Arctic ships, additional ships planned to be ordered
  • Icebreaker capacity to be assessed in collaboration with allies
• 4 vessels designed for mine-laying / mine warfare, and marine environmental response. The primary role is to focus on environmental tasks (oil and chemical spills), and the mine warfare would be a secondary role.
• 1 ship with drones and sonar systems to monitor underwater data cables, electricity lines, and gas pipelines.
• Underwater drones and autonomous units to be developed for the Danish Navy.

Home guard

In March 2025, the Danish government announced a new plan for the future of the Home Guard that includes: ^[33]

• 21 vessels to be used for maritime surveillance,port guarding, rescue, marine environmental tasks, host nation support.

References

1. "Structure of the Navy". 1 September 2020.
2. "Absalon Class Combat / Flexible Support Ship". Naval Technology. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
3. "Ships And Platforms". navalteam.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
4. "Danish frigate program" (PDF). ft.dk. 2014-12-05.
5. admin (2019-02-18). "Royal Danish Navy - Ivar Huitfeldt Class Frigates - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
6. "Thetis Class Patrol Frigate" (PDF). marinehist.dk. 2015-01-27.
7. "Danish ocean patrol vessel procurement programme expected this year". Default. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
8. "LCP Class (2004- ), Landing Crafts". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
9. "Minerydningsdroner". 2016-02-11. Archived from the original on 2016-02-11. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
10. "MSF-klassen (1998- ), Minerydningsfartøjer". www.navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
11. "Torpedotransportskibet SLEIPNER". 2009-04-03. Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
12. "Transportskibet Sleipner". 14 August 2020.
13. "ARK FORWARDER (2007- ), Roll-on/Roll-off Ship". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
14. "TOR DANIA (2007- ), Roll-on/Roll-off Ship". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
15. "TOR FUTURA (2004- ), Roll-on/Roll-off Ship". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
16. "40 flådefartøjer på vej mod Østersøen" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
17. "Danish Defense - Seatruck Class - HDMS Mette Miljø" (PDF). forsvaret.dk. 2016-02-08.
18. "Seatruck Class (1996- ), Environmental Protection Vessels". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
19. "MILJØ 101 (1996- ), Miljøskib". www.navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
20. "Sjømateriell". Forsvaret (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
21. "BALDER (1983- ), Harbor Tug". navalhistory.dk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
22. "Hjemmeværnet - MHV 800-klassen". 2014-10-11. Archived from the original on 2014-10-11. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
23. "Hjemmeværnet - MHV 900-klassen". 2011-08-17. Archived from the original on 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
24. Hovgaard, Laurids (2024-01-03). "New patrol ships to revive Danish shipyards | Ingeniøren". ing.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2024-07-21.
25. Vavasseur, Xavier (2023-06-23). "New Naval Vessels for Denmark". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
26. Scott, Richard (2024-09-02). "Increased focus on combat capabilities for new Danish patrol ships". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
27. "Return of the submarines to Royal Danish Navy?". 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
28. Martin, Tim (2023-06-12). "Denmark considering military submarines after almost 20 year gap: Danish lawmaker". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
29. "Dutch Ministry of Defence announces historic naval modernization programme". 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
30. Staff, Naval News (2023-09-26). "Denmark's OSK Design Unveils New Arctic Frigate". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
31. "Det Nationale Partnerskab for det maritime område" (PDF). May 2024.
32. Häggblom, Robin (2024-05-29). "Denmark is looking at a new long-term naval strategy". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
33. "The government will strengthen the Danish Defence at sea FACT SHEET" (PDF). 31 March 2025.
34. "The next generation of the fleet's largest ships" (PDF). 31 March 2025.