US to Expand Military Presence in Greenland for First Time Since Cold War
World
US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen have signed an agreement allowing an expanded US military presence on Greenland. The agreement was signed on September 22 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The agreement allows the United States to establish a “Golden Dome” missile defense system in Greenland to protect against ballistic missile threats. It also paves the way for two new US military sites in Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. The US already operates military infrastructure on the island, including Pituffik Space Base.
Under the deal, US aircraft and vessels will have broad access to Greenland’s territory, airspace and territorial waters. Additional US bases could be established in the future by mutual agreement. The agreement also restricts non-NATO states from establishing military facilities on the island and limits their control or significant influence in sensitive strategic sectors.
“No adversary of the United States will ever again be allowed to establish a military presence in Greenland or make important investments there without our direct written permission,” Trump said after the signing.
Frederiksen described the agreement as a deal that could “last forever.” She said changes in the Arctic security environment had prompted the new framework for cooperation.
The agreement amends a 1951 defense accord between the United States and Denmark. Reuters reports that the expansion would represent the largest increase in US military infrastructure on Greenland since the Cold War, when the United States maintained 17 installations and more than 10,000 personnel on the island.
Under the deal, US aircraft and vessels will have broad access to Greenland’s territory, airspace and territorial waters. Additional US bases could be established in the future by mutual agreement. The agreement also restricts non-NATO states from establishing military facilities on the island and limits their control or significant influence in sensitive strategic sectors.
“No adversary of the United States will ever again be allowed to establish a military presence in Greenland or make important investments there without our direct written permission,” Trump said after the signing.
Frederiksen described the agreement as a deal that could “last forever.” She said changes in the Arctic security environment had prompted the new framework for cooperation.
The agreement amends a 1951 defense accord between the United States and Denmark. Reuters reports that the expansion would represent the largest increase in US military infrastructure on Greenland since the Cold War, when the United States maintained 17 installations and more than 10,000 personnel on the island.
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