The United States is pursuing an expansion of its military footprint in Greenland, just two months after President Donald Trump threatened to take over the Arctic territory. American military officials have confirmed they are seeking access to three additional bases, including two previously abandoned.
General Guillot, head of the US Northern Command, told lawmakers in a congressional hearing in mid-March that the military wanted “increased access to different bases across Greenland as we look at the increasing threat and the strategic importance of Greenland”. He added that he was working to develop “more ports, more airfields” to provide more options for the secretary and president in the Arctic.
Lt Cdr Teresa C Meadows, a Northern Command spokesperson, said the US sought to establish bases near the southern town of Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq in the west. The proposal is being considered under the 1951 Danish-American defence pact, which already grants the US broad military access to Greenland.
Currently, the Pituffik Space Base on the north-west coast is the only US military installation on the island, serving as a key hub for early warning, missile defence and space surveillance. Denmark, which holds sovereignty over Greenland, has ruled out any suggestion of sovereign bases akin to those in Cyprus, with ceding sovereignty considered a red line.
Trump has eyed Greenland since 2019, and earlier this year demanded control “right now”, threatening tariffs on countries that opposed him. His comments sparked backlash from European leaders, some of whom sent military assets to the territory, and large protests in Greenland. He later backed down at the Davos summit, pledging not to use force to seize the territory.
