Thousands join largest Home Guard exercise since Cold War

Thousands of volunteer soldiers are taking part in the largest Home Guard exercise since the Cold War, with drills across Jutland and Funen, DR reports.

Up to 6,500 volunteers from the Army Home Guard are participating in Exercise Blåtand, alongside volunteers from the Naval Home Guard and Air Home Guard. The exercise runs from Thursday to Sunday, with activities at more than 70 locations.

The exercise aims in part to prepare the volunteer force to deal with hybrid warfare and acts of sabotage. A threat assessment issued by Danish intelligence services last week said Russia would intensify its hybrid warfare, with more frequent attacks against the West and NATO.

Home Guard chief Major General Gunner Arpe Nielsen said the changing threat picture made the exercise more important. The force’s tasks had become more relevant, he said, requiring it to increase its training.

Military analyst Esben Salling Larsen of the Defence Academy said the Home Guard’s role in Denmark’s defence had changed significantly over the past 20 years. Its ability to quickly mobilise a large number of forces was particularly useful under the current threat picture, he said.