Denmark has announced $4.2bn (£3.2bn) of extra defence spending to boost security in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions, including Greenland.
It will also spend $4.5bn buying 16 more F-35 fighter jets from the US, 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 stated on Friday.
The Arctic is at a critical crossroads between North America, Russia, and the rest of Europe. The Danish defence ministry highlighted that the military's purpose is security and, if necessary, defence within the framework of the NATO security alliance.
Chief of Defence Michael Hyldgaard emphasized, 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 NATO in all domains, while not specifying potential adversaries.
The new defence package was developed in cooperation with the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It includes plans to acquire two new Arctic ships, maritime patrol planes, drones, and early warning radar systems.
A key development will be the establishment of an Arctic command headquarters in Nuuk, alongside a new military unit operating under Joint Arctic Command in Greenland. An undersea cable linking Greenland and Denmark will also be funded.
Greenland's strategic location between North America and Russia has seen increasing interest in its natural resources, including rare earth minerals and uranium, heightening its importance for military and economic considerations.
The island is on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it strategically valuable. It is home to a US radar base and a significant American space facility, with US President Donald Trump highlighting its military importance for monitoring Chinese and Russian naval activities.
Despite Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland, the territory's Prime Minister has reiterated that it is not for sale, affirming, Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland.
