Error with missile prompts Danish authorities to close airspace

Copenhagen: Danish authorities warned that there was a risk the missile could launch unintentionally — but not explode — because of a technical error.

Denmark’s armed forces said a technical problem arose with a Harpoon missile on board the Danish frigate HDMS Niels Juel as it was taking part in a test while anchored in the Korsoer naval base.

“The launch vehicle, the booster, is activated, and currently cannot be disabled,” the military said in a statement.

The military said the missile is live, but only the booster is activated and there is no danger of the missile exploding or reaching farther than the booster rocket can lift it. It says: “Until the booster is disabled, there is a risk that the missile could launch and fly several kilometres away.”

On its webpage, the Danish Maritime Authority said there was a military drill taking place in the Storebaelt straight between the Danish islands of Zeeland and Funen. The straight is a busy shipping lane connecting the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.

The danger area is estimated to be up to 7 kilometres from Korsoer at a height of approximately 1 kilometre above sea level and not in the direction of the bridge and tunnel link across the Storebaelt. The link operator said there was no risk to the road and train traffic on the bridge.

Ships in the area have been notified and asked to wait for the problem to be resolved, the armed forces said, adding that the airspace also had been closed.

In 1982, a missile was accidentally misfired from a Danish frigate during a drill and travelled 34 kilometres at low altitude, before exploding.