The Danish Ministry of Defense has announced new large-scale investments to strengthen the defense of Greenland, a strategically important Arctic territory rich in natural resources. The move comes after recent comments by US President-elect Donald Trump, who expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lun Poulsen said the entire defense package amounts to "double-digit billions," equivalent to about $1.5 billion, with the money being used to purchase two Tethys-class patrol boats, two long-range drones, and two dog sled teams to support the Danish Arctic Command.
"For many years we have not invested enough in the Arctic, now we are planning a stronger presence," Poulsen told the newspaper "Jyllands-Posten."
The minister said Denmark could not monitor the vast territory of Greenland alone, adding that it would work with the United States on this issue in the future.
The revelations about the new investments coincide with Trump's recent remarks have put Greenland back in the spotlight, insisting that the US should own and control the territory "for the purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world."
The dispute between Washington and Copenhagen over a proposal to purchase Greenland led to diplomatic tensions during Trump's first term, when the plan was dismissed as "absurd."