Denmark has begun conscripting women into their armed forces in a recent change to their policy. Now, both men and women must enroll in the nation's lottery for national service when they turn 18 years old.

Danish women who turn 18 from now onward will be rewarded for that milestone with an invitation to "a military base on Denmark’s national ‘defence day’ for assessment of whether they are fit to be called up for training. Those who pass that sift are entered into a lottery, with those being drawn legally compelled to serve," reports Breitbart.

This represents a "historic change," said the Danish Armed Forces Forsvaret in a statement. Denmark, they say, must "get used to the fact that every citizen capable of bearing arms, and not just men, is obligated to contribute to the defense of the fatherland." The change was announced in 2024 and is only now coming into effect.

The change comes as conflict on the broader European continent may be on the horizon. Ukraine and Russia have been fighting since Russia's invasion of their neighboring nation in February 2022, and despite the best efforts of American peacemakers, that conflict rages on.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in 2024 that the European situation "has become more and more serious, and we have to take that into account when we look at future defense... a broader basis for recruiting that includes all genders is needed." The US has paused some weapons shipments to Ukraine over fears of a diminishing stockpile.

Mandatory service, from which those with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes will no longer be excluded, will be doubled by Denmark. Those who are made to serve will do so for a period of 11 months, which includes five months of training and six months of service.

National Chief of Defense General Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard said this new standard "sends a clear signal that the Armed Forces are a modern community where everyone can contribute to the defense of the Kingdom of Denmark."

Recently, Denmark's prime minister has said that the United States would be permitted to expand their military footprint in Greenland. Speaking on Thursday at the opening of the Danish EU presidency, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen spoke about the need for a stronger Europe.