The Danish Armed Forces have commissioned German technology group Rheinmetall to supply the MASS decoy system.
A contract to this effect was recently signed in Copenhagen. Under the agreement, Rheinmetall will supply multi-ammunition softkill systems (MASS) for the Royal Danish Navy’s two Absalon-class and two Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, as well as for the Danish Navy’s Weapons School.
The Danish Armed Forces will also receive a quantity of Omnitrap-ER decoys. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The contract value, which will be recognised in the second quarter of 2026, is a two-digit million-euro figure. In addition, a supply contract with a term of up to 21 years has been signed to enable the Danish Navy to replenish its MASS stock.
In total, MASS is currently in use by 18 nations, with over 400 decoy launchers in operation worldwide.
“The past few months have demonstrated the outstanding role played by the Danish Navy in NATO’s maritime defence in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and also in the Arctic,” said Hauke H. Bindzus, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Business Unit Protection Systems.
"With this order from Denmark, every Scandinavian navy now has the Rheinmetall MASS launcher in service. Denmark becomes the 18th country to use this technology.”
MASS protects ships and boats from a wide range of threats, such as attacks by anti-ship missiles or laser-guided weapons – in blue water environments as well as in shallow water missions or on rivers. It offers multispectral decoys using a single system. To this end, it covers all relevant wavelength ranges, including radar, ultraviolet, electro-optical sensors, lasers and infrared, according to the company.
MASS can be installed on vessels of any size – from offshore patrol vessels to frigates. It can be integrated into existing command and weapon control systems.
Last month, Rheinmetall received a contract from the Kuwaiti Naval Forces to supply its MASS system for eight Al Dorra-class guided-missile boats.