Denmark Picks Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile for Its F-35 Fleet
Denmark has selected Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile for its F-35 fighters, becoming the seventh country to choose the weapon, Kongsberg said on October 22. The purchase is part of a wider buy of long-range precision weapons.
The scope and value of the JSM contract have not yet been negotiated, and neither Kongsberg nor the Danish defence ministry has said how many missiles will be ordered.
Denmark Chooses the Joint Strike Missile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer | Denmark (Ministry of Defence) |
| Supplier | Kongsberg |
| Weapon | Joint Strike Missile (JSM) |
| Platform | Danish F-35A fighters |
| Quantity | Not stated |
| Value | Not stated; contract scope still to be negotiated |
| Delivery | Not stated |
| Announced | October 22, 2026 |
The JSM fits inside the weapons bays of the F-35A, so the aircraft can carry it without giving up its low-observable profile. Kongsberg describes it as a fifth-generation stealth air-to-surface missile.
Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said the acquisitions are “a significant step towards making Denmark better able to defend itself.” According to the ministry, the weapons are intended to deter attacks on Denmark and, if necessary, to strike targets deep in enemy territory.
A Second Weapon Joins the Package
The package also includes the Anthem cruise missile from the US company Covenant, which can be launched from land. Both choices followed a recommendation from Denmark’s Chief of Defence.
| Item | Joint Strike Missile | Anthem |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Kongsberg (Norway) | Covenant (United States) |
| Launch platform | F-35A internal weapons bays | Land launch |
| Status | Selected; contract scope not negotiated | Selected; contract scope not negotiated |
Who Else Has Chosen the JSM
Denmark joins Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway and the United States as a JSM customer. The missile has attracted several F-35 operators looking for a stealthy long-range strike option.
It is the second Kongsberg missile decision from Copenhagen this month. Denmark recently ordered more weapons for coastal defence, as our report on the Danish Naval Strike Missile order explains. For the broader field, see our guide to the F-35.
Kongsberg Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Kongsberg, Norway |
| Founded | 1814 |
| Defence Systems president | Kjetil Reiten Myhra (executive vice president) |
| Known programmes | Joint Strike Missile, Naval Strike Missile, Protector remote weapon stations |
Denmark Joint Strike Missile FAQ
What did Denmark select?
Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile for its F-35 fighters, plus the land-launched Anthem cruise missile from Covenant.
Is there a signed contract?
Not yet. The scope and value of the contract have not been negotiated.
How many missiles will Denmark buy?
Neither Kongsberg nor the Danish defence ministry has said.
Which countries already use or have chosen the JSM?
Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway and the United States, with Denmark now the seventh.
Why is the JSM suited to the F-35?
It fits in the F-35A’s internal weapons bays, so the aircraft keeps its low-observable profile.
- Defence Industry Europe – “Denmark to arm F-35 fighters with Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile to reach deep into enemy territory” (October 22, 2026): defence-industry.eu
- Wikipedia – Kongsberg Gruppen (company data)
