Afry sees defence demand reshape consultancy market

The changing security environment has driven multi-billion-kroner investments in defence, emergency preparedness and critical infrastructure across the Nordics.

That shift is increasingly reflected in Afry’s Danish construction business. Growing demand for defence-related projects in 2025 helped the consultancy deliver its strongest financial performance to date.

- The need to strengthen defence capabilities and societal security is clearer than ever, and we view this as a long-term trend, says Anders Bergstrøm, Director of Construction Operations at Afry Denmark.

Growth in defence-related work

The growth in defence-related work is also placing new demands on the consultancy sector. Clients are no longer focused solely on traditional consultancy services centred on cost, capacity and delivery.

Instead, demand is increasingly driven by technical expertise, systems knowledge and an understanding of security requirements, alongside what Bergstrøm describes as a "long-term preparedness perspective".

In response, Afry has established a dedicated defence business area in Denmark and is expanding its capabilities by recruiting personnel with defence-sector experience.

- Competition has naturally intensified, as many market participants see the sector as a growth opportunity, he says.

- But it also requires experience, security awareness and the ability to operate in complex and sensitive environments.

Although the Swedish engineering and consultancy group has operated in Denmark since 2019, Bergstrøm says defence projects differ significantly from conventional infrastructure assignments.

According to him, the defining factor is the priority placed on security.

Where traditional projects often balance cost, schedule and efficiency, defence-related programmes place greater emphasis on operational reliability, protection and redundancy.

- Facilities must function in peacetime, during crises and, in the worst case, during conflict. This places significant demands on planning, risk management and collaboration, he says.

At the intersection of civil and military requirements

Afry’s Danish business, headquartered in Herning, reported revenue of DKK 495 million in 2025 and a profit of DKK 33.7 million.

During the year, the company entered into a cooperation agreement with the Danish Defence Estate and Infrastructure Organisation (ETK), under which it was appointed design consultant for the Krudten ammunition factory in northern Jutland.

Bergstrøm says Afry is also involved in additional projects for the Danish Armed Forces, although he declined to provide details of those assignments or disclose the total number of projects.

He estimates that the company is currently delivering a handful of projects directly for the Danish Armed Forces.

- We are seeing growing demand for solutions where technology, security and operational reliability must be integrated, he says.

- Many projects sit at the intersection of civil infrastructure and security-related or operational requirements.

Drawing on Nordic defence experience

The opportunities extend beyond the defence sector itself.

Governments and operators are also investing in societal resilience, emergency preparedness and the protection of critical infrastructure, creating a broader pipeline of work.

According to Bergstrøm, projects can range from military buildings, facilities and port infrastructure to ammunition-related installations.

While direct cooperation with the Danish Armed Forces is relatively recent, Afry’s Nordic operations have supported defence customers for decades.

The company says it has worked with the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for more than 60 years, including on IT and digitalisation programmes.

In Norway, the group secured a seven-year framework agreement in 2024 with Forsvarsbygg, part of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, to provide construction management services for upgrades to military bases and facilities nationwide.

Those experiences are now helping to support the growth of Afry’s Danish defence activities.

- We have strong capabilities across construction, infrastructure, energy and engineering, says Bergstrøm.

- In addition, we have access to extensive defence expertise through our Nordic organisation.