Resilience Is More Than Troops and Technology
Across NATO and the Nordic region, resilience has become a defining priority. Investments are accelerating, force structures are expanding, and advanced platforms—from F-35 fighter jets to integrated sensor and command systems—are entering service at scale. But one critical question remains underexplored: who ensures these systems are operational when it matters most?
Traditionally, Denmark’s Armed Forces have either managed maintenance internally or relied on international service setups. In today’s security environment, that model is under pressure. Increased readiness demands, and security of supply combined with the need to deploy rapidly and sustain operations over time, require a different approach—one that frees military personnel to focus on core operational tasks.
“Operational readiness is not only about having the right platforms - it’s about ensuring they are available, serviced, and mission-ready at all times,” says Oscar Cosman Brøndum.
From National Responsibility to Shared Capability
As Denmark scales its defense posture, the need to build maintenance and service capacity domestically is becoming urgent. This is not simply a logistical issue—it is a strategic one. The ability to sustain high-end capabilities such as radar systems, electronic warfare suites, and aircrafts require specialized skills, infrastructure, and continuity.
Here, industry has a clear role to play. Companies like Terma already support critical defense capabilities—from SCANTER radar systems ensuring maritime domain awareness to advanced self-protection and electronic warfare solutions deployed on airborne platforms. Extending this role into full range maintenance, repair and overhaul partnerships is a natural evolution.
“The question is no longer whether industry should be involved, but how we organize that cooperation effectively to support defense readiness,” says Oscar Cosman Brøndum.
A Nordic Opportunity for Industrial Integration
The shift toward closer industry-defense collaboration is not unique to Denmark. In larger defense ecosystems such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy integrated maintenance models between armed forces and industry have long been established. These models improve efficiency, ensure scalability, and enhance long-term readiness.
In the Nordic region, similar thinking is beginning to take shape. Initiatives like the Nordic Air Power Concept demonstrate a growing ambition to align operational capabilities across borders. The next logical step is to build a shared industrial foundation to support these ambitions—particularly around common platforms like the F-35, operated by Denmark, Norway, and soon Finland.
A coordinated Nordic approach, including closer industry cooperation, to maintenance and service could unlock significant synergies, reduce duplication, and strengthen collective resilience.
“There is a clear opportunity to think beyond national frameworks and build Nordic solutions that support both operational cooperation and industrial growth,” says Oscar Cosman Brøndum. “By joining forces with other industry players, there is a potential to rapidly ramp up national or even regional MRO capabilities. In that way, industry is presenting a logistical component in support of the ambition for closer Nordic defense cooperation“.
From Capability Gap to Strategic Advantage
For Denmark, the implications are twofold. First, a more structured partnership with industry can help release military personnel from technical service roles, allowing them to focus on operational readiness and deployment. Second, it creates a new domain of industrial capability aligned with national and regional security priorities.
For Terma, this represents both a responsibility and an opportunity. With deep expertise in mission-critical systems and a strong position within NATO-aligned programs, the company is well placed to contribute to a more resilient support structure—one that ensures systems remain operational when they are needed most.
Ultimately, resilience is not built solely on procurement decisions. It is sustained through the ability to maintain, adapt, and operate complex systems over time. As Denmark and its Nordic partners look to the future, the question of who keeps the forces running may prove just as important as how they are equipped.