Denmark’s air force has stood up a new 729 Squadron to expand aerial monitoring across Greenland and the Arctic region, with four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones assigned to the mission.
The aircraft were purchased in July 2025 through NATO’s procurement agency and are expected to be delivered in 2028. The squadron will operate under the Air Transport Wing from Aalborg Air Base and will include more than 100 staff members. Selected crews will begin US-based training later this year.
A Legacy Revived
The original 729 Squadron functioned from 1955 until 1993 as a reconnaissance formation, notably providing intelligence during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The revived unit’s responsibilities will extend beyond ISR roles to include environmental oversight and search-and-rescue support.
Platform Capabilities
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian, a maritime adaptation of the SkyGuardian system, uses a modular architecture that allows operators to add or remove mission-specific payloads quickly.
It supports systems such as maritime surveillance radar, AIS tracking, electronic support tools, and anti-submarine warfare modules. Designed for satellite-controlled, over-the-horizon operations, the aircraft can remain airborne for over 30 hours and operate in adverse weather while integrating into civilian air traffic.
The platform spans 24 meters across its wings, stretches 12 meters in length, and can climb to 15,000 meters.
