Equipment used by the Home Guard This list includes the phased-out equipment used exclusively by the Home Guard.
Weapons +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteGrenade Launcher40×46 mmUsed by Home Guard units, fits on M95/96 rifles. Can only fire low velocity 40 mm
Can use multiple grenade types:
Lethal:
HE FRAG HEAT Flechette(Used in Afghanistan; unknown if still in use)
Less Lethal:
Rubber Buckshot Smoke Flash SpongeLight support weapon5.56×45mm NATOUsed by Home Guard units Issued with:
ELCAN LMG C79 3.4× Drum magazine
Got the informal nickname of Lorte Spasser Våben ("Shitty retard weapon") because it "was a weapon designed to do everything but couldn't do anything".Designated marksman rifle7.62×51mm NATOUsed by SSR (Home Guard Special Operations Unit)Designated marksman rifle7.62×51mm NATOTransferred to the Home Guard after the phase-out in the army and now in use
CBRN +NameImageOriginTypeNotesCBRN-MaskPhased out CBRN-Mask Still around in the Home Guard
Tactical and communication equipment +NameImageOriginTypeNotesUHF RadioWas used by HBU Conscripts but has been phased out by the Sepura STP9000 Tetra. Still used by some Home Guard units
Equipment in storage This list include recently retired equipment still in storage.
Weapons
Pistols NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteRetirement from active usePistol9×19mm NATOAfter its replacement by the P320, around 20.000 still remain in storage until a disposal method can be found. The guns can not be destroyed due to the financial loss and can not be sold due to their HMAK/FMI government stamp and the fear they may end up in OPFOR hands on the second hand market2019Pistol9×19mm NATOWas used by Protection teams, Frømandskorpset and Jægerkorpset Replaced by SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry and SIG SauerP365
Same situation as the Neuhausen: in storage until disposal method is found.2019Pistol9×19mm NATOUsed by Frømandskorpset Replaced by SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry and SIG SauerP365
Same situation as the Neuhausen in storage until disposal method is found.2019
Sub-machine guns +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteRetirement from active use (Designed)
(Manufactured)Sub-Machine gun9×19mm NATOPhased out in favor of telescopic M/75s and later M/96s. Still around at bases for exercise OPFORs Was manufactured as a copy of the M/45 in Denmark under a license from Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori
Later replaced by the MP5 until the concept of the sub-machine gun was completely dropped in 2010 by the Danish defense, in favor of compact carbines.
(Note: MP5 is not on this list, as the remaining stock was transferred to Rigspolitiet)1975
Carbines and assault rifles +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteRetirement from active useBattle rifle7.62×51mm NATOPhased out, but there are still 15.000 in storage for the total defense to a level where it was questioned in Folketinget1995
Light machine guns +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteRetirement from active useLight machine gun5.56×45mm NATOUsed by Jægerkorpset at the start of the Afghanistan war as the M/62 was too heavy Replaced by the FN Minimi [See LMGs] and current status is unknown2014General-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATOThe infantry variant has been phased out with the Home Guard acquisition of the M60 Many informal names like Nazisaven ("The Nazi saw"), Hitlersaven ("The Hitler saw"), or Jødesaven ("The Jew saw")2014
Marksman rifles +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteRetirement from active useDesignated marksman rifle7.62×51mm NATORetired in 2007 in favour of the HK417. Status unknown2007
Man-portable air-defense system +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteRetirement from active useMANPAD70 mm Infrared homing missileHave been in cold storage for years; some were donated to Latvia in 2018 and in 2020 the Danish army was debating their reintroduction2010-2014
Artillery +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreQuantityNotesRetirement from active useMortar60mm100+Made by Expal Phased out due to defects making it inaccurate and causing catastrophic failures2020
Personal equipment
Helmets +NameImageOriginTypeCamoNotesRetirement from active useBallistic HelmetThe former standard helmet that was in service from 1996 to 2024 Phased out for M/20 Operationel and M/20 Basic Massive stores left on bases currently2023
Load-carrying equipment and personal protection equipment +NameImageOriginTypeProtection levelCamoNotesRetirement from active useUnknownFragmentation VestFragmentation protectionLimited use2012UnknownLoad carrying systemN/ALimited use2012
Vehicles
Armoured +NameImageOriginTypeQuantityCalibreNotesRetirement from active useInfantry mobility vehicle9Used for EODUnknown moved to retired as status is unknownMulti-purpose military transport vehicles29N/AArmored ambulance. Bought in 2006. Unknown if the ambulance model of the Piranha V is a replacement as the army no longer states it as materiel on their material page.Unknown moved to retired as status is unknownReconnaissance vehicle 22Danish modification made by Composhield A/SUsed for:
Patrol Support Open ReconnaissanceUnknown moved to retired as status is unknownArmoured personnel carrierUnknownReplaced by Piranha V 54 APC models have been donated to Ukraine, exact number left is unknown.
Few remain on bases and are used for MBU training and Open House events at bases2019-2023Light tank53 (originally) Unknown (current)Light tank gifted by the Americans in 1962 A few kept around as display pieces at bases and for Åben Hede 2000Main battle tank216 (originally) Unknown (current)Custom Danish model, introduced in 1953 and upgraded in the 1980s A few kept around as display pieces at bases and for Åben Hede
Replaced by the Leopard 11994Main battle tank230 (originally) Unknown (current)Introduced in 1973 and upgraded to the A5 DKstandard in the 1990s Replaced by the Leopard 2 A few kept around as display pieces at bases and for Åben Hede including the white UN Leopard 1 that took part in Operation Bøllebank
Base chassis still serves as the Wisent 1 and Bieber 100 models have been renovated and donated to Ukraine2005
Artillery +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreQuantityNotesRetirement from active useTracked Self-propelled howitzer155 mm76(originally) Unknown (current)Retired in 2020 as the Caesar 8×8 was supposed to have entered service that year. 76 were purchased originally but most were scrapped or cannibalised through the 2010s A few kept around as display pieces at bases and for Åben Hede 2020
Test equipment
Pistols +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNotePistol9×18mm MakarovHeld by UMAK(UddannelsesMAterielKontoret -Training material office) for weapon identification training purposesPistol7.62×25mm TokarevHeld by UMAK(UddannelsesMAterielKontoret -Training material office) for weapon identification training purposes
Carbines and assault rifles +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteAssault rifle5.45×39mmUsed as a test weapon by Hærens kampskole to test equipment for Afghanistan and Iraq Held by UMAK(UddannelsesMAterielKontoret -Training material office) for weapon identification training purposes Used by the army for weapon familiarisation to help train foreign militaries such as the ANA, the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Cameroon Armed ForcesAssault rifle7.62×39mmUsed as a test weapon by Hærens kampskole to test equipment for Afghanistan and Iraq Held by UMAK(UddannelsesMAterielKontoret -Training material office) for weapon identification training purposes Used by the army for weapon familiarisation to help train foreign militaries such as the ANA, the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Cameroon Armed Forces
Marksman rifles +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteDesignated marksman rifle7.62×54mmRUsed as a test weapon by Hærens kampskole to test equipment for Afghanistan and Iraq
Machineguns +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteGeneral-purpose machine gun7.62×54mmRUsed as a test weapon by Hærens kampskole to test equipment for Afghanistan Used by the army for weapon familiarisation to help train the ANA and the Iraqi Armed Forces
Anti-materiel rifle +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteAnti-materiel rifle14.5×114mmUsed as a test weapon by Hærens kampskole to test equipment
Anti-tank weapons +NameImageOriginTypeCalibreNoteRocket-propelled grenadeAmmunition in stock unknownUsed as a test weapon by Hærens kampskole to test equipment for Afghanistan Used by the army for weapon familiarisation to help train the ANA and the Iraqi Armed Forces
Around 8000, alongside some further 29.000 rockets were donated to Ukraine See also Forsvaret List of Danish military equipment of World War II List of active Royal Danish Navy ships Royal Danish Air Force Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Army
References