Denmark has announced a significant investment of 14.6 billion Danish crowns ($2.05 billion) to bolster its military capabilities in the Arctic and North Atlantic, a move seen as a response to growing geopolitical interest in the region, particularly from the United States, Al Jazeera reports.
The announcement comes as Denmark resists pressure from Washington to cede control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory rich in mineral resources and of increasing strategic importance due to melting Arctic ice.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is set to meet with leaders from France, Germany, and NATO this week, aiming to solidify “European unity” on the issue of Greenland. The territory, which boasts newly accessible shipping routes and significant mineral deposits, has become a focal point of international attention.
The United States currently maintains a military presence at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, a key component of its ballistic missile early-warning system. However, Denmark, responsible for Greenland’s defense, has long faced criticism for its limited military resources in the region, which some experts have described as a “security black hole”.
The newly announced funding will be used to acquire three new naval vessels for Arctic waters around Greenland, along with enhanced satellite capacity and more long-range drones. Currently, Denmark’s Arctic capabilities include four aging inspection vessels, a surveillance plane, and a small number of dog sledge patrols, all tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France.
This investment marks a shift for Denmark, which has faced years of defense spending cuts. In 2022, the country pledged 190 billion Danish crowns ($26 billion) over a 10-year period for its military, a portion of which is now being allocated to the Arctic region.
The Danish Ministry of Defence stated that the new package was agreed upon with a broad majority of parliamentary parties, as well as with the governments of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, emphasizing collaborative efforts in the region. The three governments also plan to negotiate a second agreement on deterrence and defense by the summer.
