Denmark realizes the need for initiatives to promote a peaceful development in other areas of the world. Danish soldiers have taken part in UN peacekeeping activities since 1948. At the end of 2003 more than 63,000 Danish soldiers have served in NATO, OSCE and UN missions. By January 2004 some 1100 from all three services are serving in international missions around the world: On the Balkans, in and around Afghanistan, in Africa and in Iraq etc.

Danish soldiers are also serving in UN observer missions, and a special UN standby force is maintained in cooperation with other countries.
Denmark contributes forces from all three services to the UN/DHA MCDA register and a headquarters unit from the Danish Reaction
Brigade to the UN Standby Arrangements System.

Denmark initiated the establishment of the Multinational UN Standby Forces High Readiness Brigade (SHIRBRIG), and is hosting the planning element for SHIRBRIG comprising officers from the participating nations. Denmark participated with a reinforced headquarters company in SHIRBRIG’s first mission in 2001 in Ethiopia/Eritrea (UNMEE).

A prerequisite for the substantial Danish contribution to international operations is the high percentage of fully combat trained conscripts who continue as professional soldiers. The Danish model is a professional defence structure and organization based on conscription.