Reinforcing military presence in Greenland is the intention of the Danish government's strategic agenda.
Denmark Plans to Establish First Military Unit in Greenland
In a significant move, Denmark is set to establish its first-ever military unit in Greenland, marking a historic shift in the country's approach to Arctic defense. This decision comes ahead of negotiations over a new plan for government spending related to the Danish autonomous territories in the Arctic.
The proposed military unit, a light infantry force adapted to Arctic conditions, would be staffed by Danish troops trained for extreme cold weather. It could potentially be supplemented by Greenlandic recruits, and its equipment may include specialized Arctic all-terrain vehicles and weapons suitable for battle, guard duty, and rescue missions.
The establishment of this unit is part of a broader strategy to significantly increase Denmark’s military presence on the island, reflecting the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic region. The new military unit would signify a political shift towards greater Greenlandic involvement in defense responsibilities, with some operational control moving from Copenhagen to Nuuk.
This move is a strategic response to increasing Arctic tensions and strategic competition involving Russia, China, and the United States. Greenland's location is pivotal for control of emerging sea routes and mineral-rich resources, making it a focal point in the geopolitical landscape.
The Danish government's steps come amid concerns about covert influence operations in Greenland by actors linked to former U.S. President Trump, who had expressed interest in acquiring Greenland for security and economic reasons. Denmark and Greenland continue to assert that the territory is not for sale and want to strengthen their defense and sovereignty ahead of rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.
In summary, the key plans include the creation of a Greenland-based Danish military unit focused on Arctic infantry operations, a shift from centralized Arctic command to a Greenlandic military framework, the deployment of Arctic-capable troops and vehicles, and a more permanent and autonomous defense posture in Greenland. These plans are part of a strategic response to increasing Arctic geopolitical competition and complement Denmark’s intent to safeguard Greenland’s sovereignty amid external influence attempts linked to US political actors.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has stated that the Danish military would be present in Greenland "on a more permanent basis" if these plans are implemented. The Joint Arctic Command, a part of the Danish military, is responsible for defense tasks including sovereignty enforcement and search and rescue in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The internal government memo also suggests a shift from the previous policy of minimizing military presence in the Arctic, particularly in Greenland.
The need for a stronger military presence in the Arctic, including Greenland, is due to a recent security assessment by the Danish military intelligence service FE. Greenland is considered to play a pivotal role if an armed conflict were to break out between NATO and Russia, according to FE's assessment. The proposal for a Greenlandic military unit under the Joint Arctic Command is included in the internal government memo, which was written prior to the NATO summit in June.
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