The Danish Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, has announced a significant increase in defense spending for the Arctic, particularly for Greenland, an autonomous territory under the Danish Crown. This decision follows statements by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland. Denmark plans to invest between 12 and 15 billion Danish kroner (approximately €2 billion) to address years of reduced spending on Arctic defense. The minister explained that the funds will be used for enhanced surveillance, upgrades to aerial capabilities, and the replacement of four outdated ships with two new modern vessels. Additionally, the airbase in Kangerlussuaq will be upgraded to accommodate F-35 fighter jets and drones for surveillance and monitoring purposes. Donald Trump recently reiterated his interest in purchasing Greenland, a proposition he initially made during his presidency in 2019. At the time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed the idea as “absurd.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump argued that U.S. ownership of Greenland is essential for national security and global freedom. Minister Poulsen described the situation as “ironic” but clarified that Denmark‘s announcement is unrelated to Trump’s recent comments. He stated that this investment plan has been in development for months, involving discussions with the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. “The timing of this announcement has nothing to do with Donald Trump’s statement,” Poulsen emphasized in an interview with Denmark‘s public broadcaster, DR.
