Denmark moves to open SeaGuardian sustainment to industry

Denmark is assessing a potential shift away from tradition as it considers outsourcing maintenance for a major weapons system to industry.

A prior information notice from the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), published on TED, initiates a market dialogue to examine potential maintenance arrangements for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft.

Denmark procured four of the platforms in July 2025.

Historically, the Danish armed forces have maintained vehicles and equipment in-house. 

Other Nordic countries, including Finland and Norway, rely more extensively on outsourced maintenance. In Finland, Milog manages vehicle sustainment, while Patria is involved in the F-35 programme.

If pursued, the shift in Denmark could mark the first of several future outsourcing contracts.

Danish-Norwegian joint venture

Terma and Kongsberg have recently established a joint venture to create a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company. Kongsberg already performs maintenance within the Norwegian F-35 programme.

The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority on approved the joint venture in April. According to the companies, the joint venture will focus on MRO services for military airborne platforms and associated systems - targeting not only Denmark but the wider Nordic air forces.

- As industry, we want to support the Nordic defence forces to a much higher degree when it comes to service and maintenance, said Thomas Rekling, head of media relations at Terma.

As part of the forthcoming request for information process, DALO is seeking input on service capabilities, maintenance concepts and contractual models before deciding whether to initiate a formal tender.

A central condition is that maintenance be conducted in Denmark to support security of supply.

Potential suppliers would be required to establish operations in-country and employ Danish nationals to retain critical knowledge and capabilities linked to the MQ-9B system.

Full-service model

The potential agreement could extend to a full-service model, including compliance with EMAR 145 (military airworthiness requirements) and continuing airworthiness management organisation (CAMO) standards.

Suppliers are invited to provide cost estimates and outline how such an arrangement would be structured. DALO states that no decision has been taken to launch a procurement.

The MQ-9B platform offers pole-to-pole satellite control and de-icing capabilities, enabling operations in Arctic conditions in support of Denmark and its NATO allies.

In addition, its in-house developed detect and avoid system supports operations in unsegregated airspace, increasing its utility for domestic and civil-support missions from Denmark.