Denmark’s ambitious F-35 fighter jet programme is set to cost an additional $2.2bn (£1.7bn) beyond original estimates, according to a damning audit from the Danish National Audit Office. The report, published on Wednesday, reveals that the total acquisition and sustainment bill for Copenhagen’s 27-strong fleet has ballooned to roughly $11bn, up from earlier projections of $8.8bn.
The auditors point to three principal drivers: higher-than-expected inflation, persistent supply chain disruptions, and a significant underestimation of long-term maintenance and upgrade costs. The Danish Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the findings but insists the aircraft remain essential for Nato commitments and national defence. Denmark began receiving its first F-35s in 2021 and expects full operational capability by 2026.
The news comes as a fresh reminder of the financial pressures facing allied nations that have committed to the US-led Joint Strike Fighter programme. The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin, has been dogged by cost overruns for years. Globally, the programme is the most expensive weapons system in history, with lifetime costs now estimated at more than $1.7tn.
For the United Kingdom, a Tier 1 partner that has already invested billions, the Danish audit underscores the vulnerability of defence budgets to macroeconomic shocks. The UK operates around 35 F-35Bs from RAF Marham and the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, with a long-term ambition to acquire 138 jets. Any further cost increases could put pressure on the Ministry of Defence’s equipment plan, which is already under scrutiny ahead of the next Spending Review.
Analysts at the Royal United Services Institute said the Danish report should serve as a ‘wake-up call’ for European partners. ‘If a relatively small, well-managed procurement like Denmark’s can see a 25 per cent cost increase, larger operators such as the UK and Italy should brace for similar pressures,’ one defence analyst noted. The MoD said it continues to work closely with the US and industry partners to control costs and ensure value for money.
Source: Danish National Audit Office (Rigsrevisionen)