For Danish soldiers stationed at the unassuming Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically. The recent threats from former US President Donald Trump to acquire the vast, autonomous territory have transformed their remote posting into a potential frontline.
The Unlikely Front Line
The current headquarters, a pleasantly painted blue building with little fortification, stands as Greenland's first line of defence. It is from here that personnel would be the first to know if an invasion were launched. Despite its modest appearance, the site is at the heart of a major strategic upgrade for the region.
Following Trump's initial announcement of plans to take over Greenland in January 2025, Denmark responded with a substantial £3.5 billion Arctic defence expansion. This package, agreed with the governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, will fund a brand new command headquarters in Nuuk, designed to monitor threats across the increasingly contested Arctic.
A Strategic Buildup Amid Tensions
In a move that now appears fraught with irony, Denmark is also proceeding with a major arms purchase from the United States. The deal involves buying 16 additional F-35 fighter jets, which will bring the Danish fleet's total to 43 aircraft. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated the agreement "significantly strengthen[s] the capabilities of the Danish Armed Forces in the region."
The comprehensive defence package extends beyond a new HQ and jets. It includes the acquisition of:
- Two new Arctic patrol ships
- Maritime patrol aircraft
- Advanced drones
- Early warning radar systems
This ramping up of defences, however, has been mocked by Trump, who dismissed the multi-billion pound investment as adding only a "single dog sled."
Duty to Defend and Global Repercussions
For the personnel in Nuuk, their duty is clear-cut. A longstanding 1952 directive compels Danish soldiers to engage any invader of Danish territory without awaiting orders, regardless of the odds. One source confirmed, "All armed forces people know there is a duty to open fire if we are invaded, whether it’s America or anyone else."
The stakes are international. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned last week that a military attempt to take Greenland would mark the end of NATO. The Arctic is at a critical crossroads between North America, Russia, and Europe, with Danish and Norwegian officials repeatedly warning about intensifying Russian naval activity.
Trump's justification for his takeover interest, stated over a week ago, claimed Greenland was "covered with Russian and Chinese ships." While regional authorities confirm heightened Russian presence, they deny detecting Chinese warships near their waters. As the world watches, the soldiers in the blue building in Nuuk remain on alert, a symbol of a small nation's resolve in a rapidly changing geopolitical climate.
