Denmark is set to spend more than £3 billion boosting its Arctic and North Atlantic defences including more ships and a new Arctic Command in Greenland.
Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen has announced the nation will build a new HQ in Nuuk where the new military unit will be based “with a dedicated first responder capability under Special Operations Command.”
Other elements of the new defence initiative include acquiring two new Arctic ships and maritime patrol aircraft, and establishing an air warning radar in East Greenland.
A new dual-use naval quay will be built in Nuuk as part of port expansion plans and a North Atlantic undersea cable will be laid linking Greenland with Denmark. In addition, the nation is also seeking to both buy new drones for ISR and defence, and boost its counter-drone capabilities.
Air defences will be further enhanced with the proposed £3bn acquisition of 16 more F-35 fighter jets from the U.S., bringing the total Danish Armed Forces fleet up to 43, as well as a number of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) “loyal wingman” drones to operate alongside the F-35s.
Chief of Defence, General Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard, commented: “The Defence’s task is to ensure security throughout the Kingdom. And if necessary, to defend Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Denmark within the framework of NATO in all domains.
“With the agreement on the new acquisitions, we are significantly strengthening the Defence’s combat power and task performance in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.
“New patrol aircraft, Arctic ships, improved infrastructure and special units will strengthen the Defence and thus the entire Kingdom.”
Mr Poulsen said: “We are allocating funds to strengthen our local anchoring in Greenland with several new capabilities, such as maritime patrol aircraft and Arctic ships. I greatly appreciate the close cooperation and good discussions with the Greenlandic Government and the Faroese Home Rule Government.”
- You can read more details on the Danish Ministry of Defence website