Denmark strengthens military presence in Greenland due to increased Russian Arctic activity

Denmark is deploying units, expanding bases and investing in military infrastructure on Greenland’s eastern flank.

The Danish government in October introduced a second Arctic military package, which includes investments in icebreakers, ships, patrol aircraft and the development of a surveillance base in Greenland. Bloomberg reports.

The potential threat from Russia, which is building up its nuclear submarine force and Arctic infrastructure, is forcing Copenhagen and NATO to rethink their defense strategy for the region.

“We are looking at the future threat scenario that we will have to deal with,” said Soren Andersen, head of the Joint Arctic Command in Greenland.

After Denmark’s largest-ever Arctic exercises in September, attention to the island has grown: NATO, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and France held joint maneuvers due to the threat from Russia, which, according to intelligence agencies, may soon redirect its resources north after the end of the war with Ukraine.

Greenland, which historically served as an outpost for allies — from World War II to the Cold War — is once again at the center of the strategic game. Denmark, Greenland and NATO recognize that protecting the Arctic is “crucial for security.”

Copenhagen has already agreed to invest 42 billion kroner (about $6.5 billion) to strengthen the region’s defenses. In addition to patrols and equipment, the country is creating Arctic units and modernizing bases, as the island’s structure, climate and logistics make it very vulnerable.

Russia, meanwhile, has a significant advantage in Arctic infrastructure — nuclear submarines, icebreakers, bases along the northern coast. Denmark acknowledges it will have to catch up, but adamantly says it must be prepared for the “new reality of Arctic security.”

USM also previously reported that Sweden will strengthen NATO’s eastern flank by sea, land and air in 2026.