Denmark Enhances Greenland Defense with Major Investment

Sun Oct 12 2025 18:56:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Denmark is set to invest significantly in enhancing its military capabilities in Greenland, with a focus on Arctic defense and security.

Denmark has announced a defense spending boost of $4.2 billion aimed at strengthening security in Greenland and the Arctic. This includes the acquisition of additional F-35 fighter jets, new Arctic ships, and the establishment of a military headquarters in Nuuk. The decision comes amidst growing concerns about geopolitical dynamics in the region, particularly in light of previous statements from former US President Trump regarding Greenland's strategic importance.

Denmark has announced $4.2 billion (£3.2 billion) of extra defense spending to boost security in Greenland and the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.

It will also spend $4.5 billion buying 16 more F-35 fighter jets from the United States, bringing its total fleet of such advanced planes to 43.

With this... agreement we significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Danish Armed Forces in the region, Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement on Friday.

The defense boost comes after former US President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed his desire to acquire Greenland, saying the vast Arctic island - under Danish sovereignty - was critical for national and economic security.

Denmark worked on the new defense package with the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

It will buy two new Arctic ships, maritime patrol planes, drones, and early warning radar.

Crucially, a new Arctic command headquarters will be set up in the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, alongside a new military unit under Joint Arctic Command in Greenland.

The task of the Armed Forces is to ensure security throughout the Kingdom - and, if necessary, to defend Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Denmark within the framework of NATO in all domains, the Chief of Defence, Michael Hyldgaard, told Danish public broadcaster DR.

In addition, an undersea cable connecting Greenland and Denmark will be funded.

The statement by the Danish defense ministry emphasizes deterrence and NATO obligations - but it does not mention the United States or Russia.

Concerns about the intentions of President Trump, who stated he wanted control of Greenland for security reasons and for its vast resources, linger.

Greenland has been home to a US radar base since the Cold War and has long been strategically important for Washington. Though the island enjoys wide-ranging autonomy, it remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.