Denmark is set to invest an additional $4.2 billion in its defense, focusing on enhancing security in Greenland and the broader Arctic and North Atlantic regions. This strategic move includes the acquisition of 16 new F-35 fighter jets from the United States, expanding its fleet of these advanced aircraft to a total of 43.
“With this agreement, we are significantly strengthening the capabilities of the Danish Armed Forces in the region,” stated Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen on Friday. This defense enhancement follows statements from US President Donald Trump expressing a strong interest in acquiring Greenland, citing the vast Arctic island’s critical importance for national and economic security.
The Danish defense package, developed in collaboration with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, will also see the procurement of two new Arctic ships, maritime patrol aircraft, drones, and advanced early warning radar systems. A key development will be the establishment of a new Arctic command headquarters in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, along with a new military unit operating under the Joint Arctic Command.
Michael Hyldgaard, the Chief of Defence, emphasized the armed forces’ role in safeguarding the entire Kingdom, including the defense of Greenland and the Faroe Islands within NATO’s framework across all domains. The initiative also includes funding for an undersea cable to connect Greenland and Denmark.
While the Danish defense ministry’s statement highlights deterrence and NATO obligations, it notably omits specific mentions of the United States or Russia. However, the move occurs amid heightened awareness of President Trump’s stated ambitions for Greenland, driven by security concerns and the island’s considerable natural resources. Trump has previously indicated a desire to control Greenland, viewing it as vital for tracking global military movements and possessing significant strategic value.
Greenland, which has hosted a US radar base since the Cold War, holds considerable strategic importance for the United States, situated on a crucial route between North America and Europe. It also hosts a significant American space facility. The island’s rich natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron, have also attracted considerable international interest in recent years.