Danish university opens campus to military drone training

A new collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and the Danish Armed Forces is bringing military personnel into a civilian research environment, with the first cohort of drone conscripts and soldiers beginning training at the university’s Odense campus.

The programme centres on a drone engineering course jointly developed by SDU’s drone centre and the Armed Forces’ drone unit, which has recently established a presence in the city. 

Participants receive training in technical and engineering disciplines aligned with operational military requirements, reflecting a broader shift towards integrating civilian research environments into defence capability development.

SDU, a public university with established strengths in robotics and unmanned systems, is positioning its drone expertise within a defence context by opening its facilities to military training.

- As a university, we aim to create value for and with society, including through research, education and innovation that can support Denmark’s and Europe’s security, particularly in the current geopolitical climate with an intensified threat landscape, said rector Jens Ringsmose in a press release.

Framework for cooperation

The closer collaboration comes amid increased European focus on defence capabilities and technological resilience. Unmanned aerial systems are a central component of this shift, used for surveillance, reconnaissance and increasingly for operational tasks.

At SDU, engagement with the defence sector is governed by internal principles adopted in 2025. These set out how the university works with the Armed Forces and defence industry, particularly where research may have dual-use implications.

- The principles provide a framework for balancing academic freedom, ethical responsibility and society’s need for security, Ringsmose said.

According to the university, participation in defence-related activities remains voluntary for individual researchers, reflecting continued sensitivity within academia regarding military engagement.

The initiative also reflects changing attitudes towards defence cooperation within universities, shaped by the evolving security environment in Europe.

- The war in Ukraine has reshaped views on defence and security among both researchers and the wider public, to the point that it can be seen as a turning point, Ringsmose said.