Denmark announced a huge increase in defence spending for Greenland. 

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Greenland’s defence boost package amounts to around 1.6 billion euros, although the exact amount has not been determined, and he did not hesitate to call the timing of the announcement a “tragic irony ,” referring to Trump’s statements.

Poulsen said that the package would allow for the purchase of two new inspection vessels, two new long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, and two additional sled dog teams.

It will also include funding to increase Arctic Command staff in the country’s capital, Nuuk, as well as upgrade one of Greenland’s three main airports to accommodate F-35 fighter jets. 

The announcement came a day after Trump took to the social media platform Truth Social to say that for the purposes of national security and freedom around the world, the United States of America considers ownership and control of Greenland absolutely necessary.

To this statement by Trump, the Prime Minister of Greenland, Mut Egende, had replied that it is not for sale. But he added that Greenlanders should continue to be open to cooperation and trade, especially with their neighbours.

Denmark, however, says it has long been planning to strengthen the country’s defences and that the announcement of the measure is not a direct response to Trump’s comments.

So far, Denmark has not invested much in strengthening Greenland’s military forces. However, if the country is unable to protect the waters around its territory from potential encroachments by China or Russia, then US demands for greater control are likely to increase.

Source: CNN Greece

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