Denmark allocates $1.5 bn for Greenland defence after Trump repeats threat to annex it

Amid public statements from US President-elect Donald Trump about buying Greenland, the Danish government has allocated $1.5 billion for the island’s defence.

Greenland is a Danish island which lies around 2,000 miles from northeastern United States. The island has an autonomous administration and has great strategic importance. It is on the shortest route between the United States and Europe and has mineral reserves as well.

Even though Denmark has made it clear that Greenland is not up for sale, Trump and his far-right wing of the Republican Party have continued the rhetoric of acquiring the island, which is being viewed in Denmark as a pressure campaign to gain concessions regarding the use of island. Currently, the US Space Force has a base in Greenland.

What’s in Danish defence package for Greenland?

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has said the timing the package is an “irony of fate”.

While Poulsen did not give the specific amount of the package, the Danish media reported it to be around 12-15 billion krone which would be around $1.5 billion.

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Poulsen said that the package would allow for the purchase of two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones, and two extra dog sled teams, according to BBC News.

Poulsen further said that the package would make way for increased staffing at the Arctic Command at Greenland’s capital Nuuk. He added that the funds would be used to upgrade one of Greenland’s three main civilian airports to handle F-35 fighter jets.

Poulsen further said, “We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence.”

Trump likely pressing Denmark to do more: Analysts

Analysts told BBC that the plans for upgrading the defences in Greenland had been in the works for a while and should not be seen as a response to Trump and his cheerleaders’ comments. Analysts said that while Denmark has not spent considerably on Greenland’s defences, it has now recognised the need to protect the island and its waters from Russian and Chinese incursions. If Denmark would not do it, analysts say Trump-like calls in the United States would keep mounting.

Major Steen Kjaergaard of the Danish Defence Academy told BBC that Trump’s remarks may just be a pressure tactic to nudge Denmark to do more to secure Greenland and its surroundings from Russian and Chinese threats.

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Kjaergaard said, “It is likely to be sparked by the renewed Trump focus on the need for air and maritime control around Greenland and the internal developments in Greenland where some are voicing a will to look towards the US – a new international airport in Nuuk was just inaugurated. I think Trump is smart… he gets Denmark to prioritise its Arctic military capabilities by raising this voice, without having to take over a very un-American welfare system.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the control of Greenland was an “absolute necessity” for ensuring US national security.

“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States,” said Trump in the post.