Denmark Orders Rheinmetall’s MASS Decoy System for Its Frigates

Denmark’s defense procurement agency has signed a contract in Copenhagen equipping Rheinmetall’s Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) aboard its Absalon-class and Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates. The deal, worth roughly DKK 745 million ($116 million), brings the Royal Danish Navy’s self-protection capability in line with NATO standards.

Key Points

The contract is valued at approximately DKK 745 million (about $116 million).
Scope: five systems total, covering two Absalon-class anti-submarine frigates, three Iver Huitfeldt-class air-defense frigates, and the Royal Danish Navy’s Weapons School.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The contract includes a long-term supply and support agreement running up to 21 years.
The deal makes MASS the shared standard across all Scandinavian navies.

MASS is a multispectral decoy system that protects ships from a wide range of threats, including anti-ship missiles and laser-guided munitions, whether on the high seas, in coastal waters, or on rivers. A single launcher platform can fire different types of decoy ammunition. Denmark’s order covers two Absalon-class anti-submarine warfare frigates and three Iver Huitfeldt-class air-defense frigates, plus a system for the Royal Danish Navy’s Weapons School. Deliveries begin in Q4 2027, and the contract guarantees spares and logistical support for up to 21 years.

According to Rheinmetall, the deal cements MASS as the standard self-protection system across all Scandinavian navies, having already been selected by Sweden and Norway. The company describes the contract as “another success” for a system it calls “battle-proven.”

Regional Impact

Denmark’s decision reflects a broader trend of NATO’s northern-flank navies standardizing self-protection capabilities amid rising Russian naval activity in the Baltic and North Seas. From a Turkish defense-industry perspective, electronic-warfare and decoy systems developed by ASELSAN perform a comparable function aboard Turkish naval platforms, and integrating such self-protection packages is becoming an increasingly important criterion in frigates and corvettes exported by shipbuilders like STM and ASFAT. As NATO navies converge on standard subsystems across shared platforms, future tenders requiring cross-compatibility may create both opportunities and competitive pressure for suppliers worldwide.

FAQ

What exactly does MASS do?
It counters threats such as incoming anti-ship missiles and laser-guided munitions by launching multispectral (radar, infrared, etc.) decoy rounds that lure them away from the real target.

When do deliveries begin?
Under the contract, first deliveries are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027.

How long does the support period last?
The supply contract guarantees long-term replenishment and support for the systems for up to 21 years.