Denmark will invest an amount equivalent to two billion euros in strengthening security in the Arctic. The Danish government has decided to expand its military presence in the strategically important region together with the authorities of the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
"We must realize that we are facing serious security and defense challenges in the Arctic and the North Atlantic," commented Danish Defense Minister Trolls Lund Paulsen.
More ships and drones
Three ships, long-range drones and satellites for better surveillance will be sent to the Arctic. After more than a decade of defense budget cuts, Denmark has allocated about 25.5 billion euros to its military over the next decade. Some of this money is specifically for the Arctic.
Although Denmark is responsible for the security and defense of Greenland, the country currently has limited capabilities to do so on the island. Denmark has four outdated reconnaissance ships, one "Challenger" fighter jet and 12 dog-led patrol sleds. These assets are expected to monitor an island that is four times the size of France.
Another defense agreement by summer
In addition, authorities in Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland have agreed to negotiate a second deterrence and defense agreement by the summer. The security situation requires such action, the ministry said in a statement.
The partial agreement aims to improve monitoring and assert sovereignty in the regions. At the same time, it is crucial to support close allies and NATO in resolving issues in the Arctic and the North Atlantic in order to strengthen defense and security. Greenland's representative for foreign affairs, Vivian Motzfeld, called the day the agreement was presented historic.
Denmark wants to demonstrate the unity of Europe
The announcement of the partial agreement comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted control over Greenland. The Arctic island, with a population of about 57,000, is of strategic importance to the US, which maintains an air base there with an early warning system for ballistic missiles. Greenland's capital, Nuuk, is closer to New York than to Copenhagen. Greenland also has rich natural resources under its ice.
The world's largest island is largely autonomous, but officially belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is currently demonstrating European unity in the face of Trump's wishes. To that end, she travels to Berlin, Paris and Brussels on Tuesday to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.