Denmark has announced a $2.05 billion (14.6 billion kroner) military investment to strengthen its presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic following renewed interest from President Donald Trump in acquiring Greenland. The investment will fund new naval vessels, long-range surveillance drones, and satellite capacity to enhance Denmark’s ability to monitor and defend the region.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has met with European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, to secure diplomatic support. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark must reinforce its Arctic defenses due to “serious security challenges.”
France has discussed the possibility of deploying troops to Greenland with Denmark in response to Trump’s comments, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. However, he said Denmark has not made such a request. European Union leaders have also affirmed support for Danish sovereignty over Greenland, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stating that the bloc is “not negotiating” the island’s territorial status.
Trump has called Greenland a strategic asset and has not ruled out economic or military measures to bring it under U.S. control. While Danish officials have not directly addressed his remarks, Frederiksen has emphasized the need for stronger military cooperation in Europe, citing growing global security threats.
Denmark’s Ministry of Defense said additional defense agreements will be negotiated later this year to further strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
