The Danish government revealed a significant increase in defence spending for Greenland shortly after US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Arctic territory.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that the package amounts to a “double-digit billion amount” in krone, translating to at least $1.5 billion (£1.2 billion).
He characterized the announcement’s timing as an “irony of fate.” On Monday, Trump asserted that ownership and control of the vast island was an “absolute necessity” for the United States.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, hosts a significant US space facility and is strategically important for the United States. It is positioned on the most direct route between North America and Europe. The region is home to significant mineral reserves.
Poulsen announced that the package would facilitate the acquisition of two new inspection ships, two long-range drones, and an additional two dog sledge teams.
The proposal encompasses financial support to bolster staffing levels at Arctic Command, located in Nuukand and enhancements to one of Greenland’s three primary civilian airports to accommodate F-35 supersonic fighter jets.
“For many years, investment in the Arctic has been insufficient, but now there are plans for a more robust presence,” he stated.
The defence minister refrained from providing a specific figure for the package; however, estimates from Danish media suggest it could be between 12 and 15 billion kroner.
The statement was made just one day after Trump expressed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
In a firm rebuttal to former President Donald Trump‘s remarks, Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede declared, “We are not for sale.”
He emphasized the importance of Greenlanders remaining receptive to cooperation and trade, particularly with neighbouring countries.
Experts indicate that the proposal has been deliberated for an extended period and should not be interpreted as an immediate reaction to Trump’s remarks.
Denmark has faced criticism for its sluggish pace in enhancing military capabilities in Greenland. Observers argue that without adequate protection of the territory’s waters from potential incursions by China and Russia, the United States may increasingly call for greater regional oversight and control.
The Army According to Maj Steen Kjaergaard of the Danish Defence Academy, Trump may have pressured Denmark to take such action.
“The renewed emphasis from Trump on the necessity for air and maritime control in the vicinity of Greenland, coupled with internal developments within Greenland itself, appears to be a catalyst for change. Notably, there are voices advocating for closer ties with the US, highlighted by the recent inauguration of a new international airport in Nuuk,” he stated to the BBC.
“Trump demonstrates strategic acumen by prompting Denmark to enhance its Arctic military capabilities through his vocal stance, all while sidestepping the complexities of an un-American welfare system,” he remarked, highlighting Greenland’s significant reliance on subsidies from Copenhagen.
In 2019, Trump’s proposal for the United States to purchase Greenland, the largest island globally, prompted its leaders’ swift and decisive response.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterized the proposal as “absurd,” prompting Trump to call off a planned state visit to Denmark.
The idea of purchasing Greenland is not a novel one among US presidents. It was initially proposed in the 1860s during Andrew Johnson’s presidency.
