Denmark procures Rheinmetall’s MASS decoy system
The Danish Armed Forces have officially awarded a contract to Rheinmetall for the provision of the Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) decoy system. This significant agreement was recently finalized in Copenhagen.
As part of the contract, Rheinmetall will deliver a variety of MASS units to both the ABSALON-class and IVER-HUITFELDT-class frigates, as well as to the Royal Danish Navy’s Weapons School. The procurement also includes a supply of Omnitrap-ER decoys. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, with the contract value, set to be acknowledged in the second quarter of 2026, comprising a two-digit million figure in euros. Additionally, a long-term supply contract has been established, lasting up to 21 years, allowing the Danish Navy to replenish its MASS inventory effectively.
This latest order reinforces the MASS as the standard decoy system across Scandinavian naval forces. Currently, the system is operational in 18 countries, with over 400 decoy launchers deployed globally.
“The past few months have highlighted the impressive role played by the Danish Navy in NATO’s maritime defense across the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and the Arctic,” stated Hauke H. Bindzus, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Business Unit Protection Systems. “In this context, we are particularly pleased to have successfully demonstrated the advantages of our MASS system as a soft-kill defense for Danish frigates. With this acquisition, every Scandinavian navy is now equipped with the Rheinmetall MASS launcher, making Denmark the 18th nation to adopt this technology.”
The MASS system is designed to safeguard ships and vessels from an array of threats, including anti-ship missile strikes and laser-guided weaponry, effective in both blue-water operations and shallow-water or riverine missions. It offers multispectral decoy capabilities through a single platform, covering all relevant wavelength ranges such as radar, ultraviolet, electro-optical sensors, lasers, and infrared.
Thanks to its modular architecture, the MASS can be installed on ships of varying sizes—from offshore patrol vessels to large frigates. It can seamlessly integrate into existing command and weapon control systems with limited effort or function independently as a standalone system.
