SkyGuardian for the Royal Danish Air Force
On 22 July 2025, the Danish Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed an agreement to acquire four MQ‑9B SkyGuardian drones from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), along with three certified Ground Control Stations (CGCS).
The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) will be delivered between 2028 and 2029, including training, maintenance, and support equipment. Their mission focus will be on the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea - critical areas for Arctic sovereignty and NATO regional surveillance.
This acquisition is part of Denmark’s 2021 Arctic Capability Package, which initially planned for two drones but was expanded to four under the 2024–2033 defence framework.
Procurement is managed through the MQ‑9B International Cooperation Support Partnership, which includes Belgium, Canada, Germany, the UK, and now Denmark. This framework supports shared logistics, training, and interoperability. Danish operators will receive training in the US ahead of full operational integration.
In Europe, the MQ‑9B has also been ordered by Belgium, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
The MQ‑9B is a versatile, long-endurance UAS designed for multi-domain operations. It is available in two main variants:
* SkyGuardian: optimized for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR&T)
* SeaGuardian: tailored for maritime surveillance and patrol missions.
Credit image: Danish Ministry of Defence