Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. Photo source: Ida Marie Odgaard / AFP
On Monday, the Danish government announced the allocation of 14.6 billion Danish kroner (approximately 2 billion euros) to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The decision comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region due to the proximity of Russia and the United States, AFP reports.
Reasons for investment
“The threat level in the Arctic and North Atlantic has increased significantly. We need to significantly strengthen defences in these regions,” said Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
The programme provides for:
- Three new Arctic vessels to be deployed to the region.
- Additional long-range drones equipped with advanced imaging systems.
- Improved satellite monitoringcapabilities.
The project was developed in cooperation with the main political parties in Denmark, as well as in “close cooperation” with the autonomous territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
Greenland is a strategic centre of tension
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt stressed that “new Arctic vessels are a priority for the safety of the people of Greenland”. The island, which is seeking independence from Denmark, is of strategic importance due to its location.
The United States has a military base in Pitufik in northwestern Greenland. This territory is the shortest missile strike path between Russia and North America.
Earlier, Donald Trump stated that control of Greenland is “an absolute necessity for national security and freedom in the world”. However, the local government has repeatedly stressed that Greenland is “not for sale”. After Trump returned to power, Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede assured that the islanders “do not want to be Americans”.
