Denmark boosts Arctic defence spending as Trump reiterates desire to buy Greenland

The Danish government has unveiled a significant defence spending package for Greenland, hours after US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his wish to purchase the Arctic territory.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced the investment, describing it as a "double digit billion amount" in krone, which equates to at least $1.5 billion (£1.2 billion), Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

Poulsen noted the announcement's timing as an "irony of fate," coming on the heels of Trump’s assertion that US ownership of Greenland is an "absolute necessity."

Poulsen detailed that the funding would enable the purchase of two inspection ships, two long-range drones, and two additional dog sled teams. It would also finance increased staffing at Arctic Command in Nuuk and upgrade one of Greenland's three main civilian airports to accommodate F-35 supersonic fighter jets.

"We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years; now we are planning a stronger presence," Poulsen remarked.

The announcement follows Trump’s comment on Truth Social, where he stated: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, quickly dismissed the prospect, saying, "we are not for sale." However, Egede emphasized the importance of maintaining openness to cooperation and trade, particularly with neighbouring countries.

Analysts, however, caution against linking Denmark’s decision directly to Trump’s remarks. "The plan has been under discussion for a long time and should not be seen as a direct response," experts suggest. They highlight Denmark’s historically slow expansion of military capacity in Greenland, noting the growing pressures to protect the Arctic from potential encroachments by China and Russia.

Army Maj Steen Kjaergaard of the Danish Defence Academy suggested Trump may have intended to nudge Denmark towards such an investment. "It is likely to be sparked by the renewed Trump focus on the need for air and maritime control around Greenland and the internal developments in Greenland where some are voicing a will to look towards the US – a new international airport in Nuuk was just inaugurated," Kjaergaard explained.

He added: "I think Trump is smart… he gets Denmark to prioritise its Arctic military capabilities by raising this voice, without having to take over a very un-American welfare system," referencing Greenland's heavy reliance on subsidies from Denmark.

Trump’s 2019 proposal to acquire Greenland prompted a similarly firm rejection, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling the idea "absurd." At the time, this led Trump to cancel a state visit to Denmark.

Historically, the notion of purchasing Greenland is not new. The idea was first floated during the 1860s under President Andrew Johnson’s administration, underscoring the enduring strategic importance of the world’s largest island.