Denmark intends to increase military presence in Arctic
Photo: The reason for Copenhagen's decision is Donald Trump's territorial claims (forsvaret.dk)
Denmark plans to allocate additional funds to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic. The decision was made due to the intentions of US President Donald Trump to establish total control over the island of Greenland, according to Reuters.
The Danish government intends to spend DKK 14.6 billion (USD 2.05 billion) to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic.
After more than a decade of rapid defense spending cuts, last year Denmark allocated DKK 190 billion ($26 billion) for its armed forces over the next 10 years. Part of this money will now be used to defend the Arctic.
Responsible for the security and defense of Greenland, Denmark has limited military capabilities on the huge island, which is considered a security black hole.
Currently, the country's army has four old inspection vessels, a Challenger reconnaissance aircraft, and 12 dog-sledded patrols monitoring an area four times the size of France.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the agreement provides for the purchase and maintenance of three new Arctic fleet ships, an increase in the number of long-range surveillance drones from two to four, and the launch of satellite surveillance systems.
Political parties agreed to allocate more money for Arctic defense in the agreement. Its final content will be made public in the first half of the year.
In Greenland, the US military has a permanent space base, Pituffik, in the northwest of the island. It is a strategic location for an early warning system for ballistic missile launches, as the shortest route from Europe to North America runs through the island.
Trump's claims to Greenland
The island of Greenland has the status of an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Shortly after taking office, Donald Trump announced his intention to take control of Greenland. According to him, this is what 57,000 residents of the island allegedly want.
The head of the White House also stated that the United States wants to buy Greenland and use it to confront Russia and China.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the island's residents and government should decide on independence on their own.
Meanwhile, the head of the EU Military Committee, Robert Brieger, said that in addition to American troops, European troops should be deployed on the island. In his opinion, this will increase stability in the region.
