Denmark plans $2bn Arctic security boost as Trump eyes Greenland

Ships and surveillance drones to be brought in as part of Denmark’s plan

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark but the US has a military base on the island. Reuters

Denmark has announced a $2 billion upgrade to its Arctic security after US President Donald Trump said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of Greenland.

The mineral-rich autonomous territory of 55,000 people belongs to Nato member Denmark but hosts a US air base.

Three Arctic vessels and two long-range surveillance surveillance drones will be deployed to the high north in what Greenland's government called a "changing security landscape". The revamp also comes with extra satellite monitoring and an expansion of basic military training for young people in Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is travelling to Berlin, Paris and Brussels this week in a push to shore up her position in Europe, which has largely rejected Mr Trump's designs on Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, left, meets German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Tuesday. Bloomberg

"Europe is facing a serious situation. With war on the continent and shifts in the geopolitical reality. In moments like this, unity is crucial," Ms Frederiksen said. Denmark's Defence Ministry said it would seek a further cross-party agreement this year to strengthen deterrence in the Arctic.

Mr Trump warned of Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic as he told reporters on Air Force One last week that he "doesn't know what claim Denmark has" to the territory. He said a US takeover of Greenland would be for the "protection of the free world".

"I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we’re going to have it," said Mr Trump, who spoke in his inaugural address of expanding US territory for the first time in decades. "We’re the one that can provide the freedom. They can’t."

President Donald Trump announced ambitions to expand US territory in his second inaugural address. AP

European countries are raising defence spending as Russia’s war on Ukraine stretches towards a fourth year, while Mr Trump threatens to scale back US support if allies do not pay more. Denmark plans to improve the facilities of a Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland, as part of its latest upgrade.

“We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic," said Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. "For this reason, we must strengthen our presence in the region."

The upgrade will cost 14.6 billion Danish kroner ($2.04 billion), said the Defence Ministry. Mr Poulsen said last week that Denmark, one of the founding members of Nato, may have to spend more than $70 billion on its military by 2033.

Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland's Minister of Statehood and Foreign Affairs, said the local government was looking forward to more dialogue with the Danish government. ”Greenland is facing a changing security landscape. I am pleased with the steps we are taking towards increased security in and around Greenland with this partial defence agreement," she said.