Denmark to pump $2bn into Arctic security as Trump eyes Greenland

Denmark’s plans to increase its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions have been made public.

Copenhagen announced on Monday that it will pump an additional 14.6 billion Danish crowns ($2.05bn) into security. The announcement came as the European nation objected to President Donald Trump’s request to transfer control of Greenland.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen of Denmark stated in a statement that “security and defense are seriously challenged in the Arctic and North Atlantic.”

His announcement comes as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen prepares to meet NATO leaders in France, Germany, and Greece this week to promote “European unity” in Greenland.

“Europe is facing a serious situation. with continent-wide war and shifting geopolitical realities. In moments like this, unity is crucial”, Frederiksen said in a statement.

“Denmark has some very strong allies,” he says. And it’s a significant step forward in the development of a strong European community, Frederiksen said.

Prized target

With the Arctic’s melting ice opening up new shipping routes and increasing its strategic value, the Danish semi-autonomous territory of Greenland, which has significant mineral resources, has become a popular target.

Trump stated earlier this month that Denmark must relinquish control of the country because it is essential to US security.

The island’s proximity to Europe serves as a base for the US military’s permanent presence at the Pituffik Space Base, which is crucial for its ballistic missile early-warning system.

Denmark, while responsible for Greenland’s security and defence, has limited military capabilities on the vast island, widely regarded as a security black hole.

Close cooperation

As part of the package, Denmark will get three new ships in the Arctic waters around Greenland, more long-range drones and increased satellite capacity.

At present, Denmark’s capacities include four ageing inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance plane and 12 dog sledge patrols, all tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France.

Denmark allocated 190 billion Danish crowns ($26 billion) over a 10-year period to its military, some of which has now been given to the Arctic, following more than a decade of drastic defense spending cuts.

The Faroe Islands and Greenland governments have been working closely with the government of Denmark, according to the Ministry of Defense in Copenhagen, which announced the government had reached an agreement on the new package with a majority of the parliamentary parties.