Thales Australia and Denmark’s Våbenfabrikken have announced a strategic cooperation aimed at establishing a new industrial capability for producing NATO-interoperable small arms within Denmark. The partnership, revealed on September 17, 2024, marks the first time since the 1960s that Denmark will manufacture military assault rifles domestically. The collaboration is set to explore options for producing small arms in Denmark, beginning with the development of a Danish version of the Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR). The Thales ACAR is an AR-10/AR-15 platform manufactured by Lithgow Arms, Wedgetail Industries and Thales Australia. The weapon comes in 7.62x51mm NATO and5.56x45mm NATO/.300BLK variants. Currently in development by Thales Australia, the ACAR is based on a proven design already in service with allied defense forces and law enforcement agencies worldwide. This partnership signals a new chapter for Danish defense manufacturing and local capability development, providing the country with the means to produce, maintain, and sustain its own small arms supply.
The initiative aligns with Denmark’s broader national defense strategy, which emphasizes enhancing sovereign supply chains and developing local industry partnerships. For Thales, this collaboration not only strengthens its global presence but also underscores its commitment to supporting national security priorities through partnerships with local industries. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at Våbenfabrikken’s facilities. Under the terms of the MoU, the two companies will collaborate to create a domestic industrial base for small arms production in Denmark. The goal is to ensure that Denmark can independently maintain and sustain its small arms needs, reinforcing its defense posture and reducing reliance on external suppliers.
“We are very excited to work with Thales to bring a NATO small arms production and through-life-support capacity to Denmark for the first time in nearly 60 years. This cooperation is a real opportunity for Våbenfabrikken to grow, in terms of product offerings and staff, to better respond to the priorities and needs of Danish National Security. The DACAR (Danish/Australian Combat Assault Rifle) is a powerful capability and, once in country, over time it will offer additional export opportunities for Denmark,” said Kim Wiencken, Chairman of the Board of Våbenfabrikken.
“This agreement is the culmination of mutual effort, investment and trust between Våbenfabrikken, Thales Australia and Thales Denmark. This cooperation brings opportunities for both Australia, in respect to regional manufacturing, and Denmark through the provision of small arms assembly, sustainment and maintenance. We’re looking forward to working closely with Våbenfabrikken in the coming years,” said Matt Duquemein, Director Integrated Weapons System, Thales Australia.
“There is great development in the Danish defence industry, with promising new companies, and it has always been part of Thales’s DNA to support the local defence industry in order to maximise the benefit for our customers. Bringing the Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR) to Denmark is a step towards creating a sovereign small arms capability to support the Danish MoD in the future. With this important cooperation, Thales and Våbenfabrikken will be committed to strengthening the local defence industrial footprint in support of overall Danish national security and security of supply in key areas.” said Martin Soegaard, CEO of Thales Denmark.
Våbenfabrikken brings decades of expertise to the table. By partnering with Thales, Våbenfabrikken is expected to enhance its ability to support Denmark’s national security priorities through sovereign small arms production, improved local maintenance capabilities, and the development of future skills for the Danish workforce. This cooperation highlights a crucial step in Denmark’s defense evolution, allowing it to take a more autonomous approach to equipping its armed forces. For Thales, it represents another successful partnership aimed at fostering local defense industries while contributing to global security efforts. As this partnership develops, it will be closely watched by military and industry observers as a model for future defense collaborations, particularly in an era where national security strategies increasingly emphasize self-reliance and strategic industrial partnerships.
Lithgow Arms is an Australian small arms manufacturer located in the town of Lithgow, New South Wales. Alongside the weapons listed below, the factory also produced bayonets, components, barrels, and magazines as well as repairing, modifying, and rechambering weapons. A broad variety of weapons complemented the factory’s military production, but also civilian products such as aircraft parts, golf heads, and tractor components, amongst other things. Established by the Australian Government in 1912 as the Lithgow Small Arms Factory to ease reliance on the British for the supply of defence materials, it is currently owned by Thales Australia. Thales Australia (formerly Australian Defence Industries and ADI Limited) is a defence contractor based in Australia. It is a subsidiary of the French defence technology conglomerate Thales Group.
