Denmark secretly deployed soldiers and explosives to Greenland in January as part of a contingency plan to destroy runways at Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq if the United States tried to seize the territory. The operation included medical supplies from Danish blood banks and was prompted by public pressure following President Trump’s proposals to buy or annex Greenland. Washington and Copenhagen are simultaneously negotiating expanded U.S. security access under a 1951 agreement, with U.S. Northern Command calling talks with Greenland "very productive."
Denmark Briefly Deployed Troops and Explosives to Greenland in Contingency Plan to Disable Runways
The Danish navy's inspection ship HDMS Vaedderen sails off Nuuk, Greenland, on Jan. 18. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)(Mads Claus Rasmussen)
In January, Denmark dispatched soldiers and explosives to Greenland under a contingency plan to disable key runways if the United States attempted to seize the semiautonomous territory, Denmark’s public broadcaster reported.
The operation focused on airstrips at Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, with the explicit aim of denying U.S. military aircraft the ability to land troops and heavy equipment. Danish blood banks also flew medical supplies to the island to treat potential casualties.
The mobilization occurred amid public pressure from then-President Donald Trump, who publicly floated buying or annexing Greenland. Mr. Trump said he had "formed the framework of a future deal" with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte; no concrete details of any such arrangement have been disclosed and the proposal was strongly opposed by officials and the public in both Denmark and Greenland.
"Greenland is a strategically important location that is critical from the standpoint of national security, and this deal is very important to advancing U.S. national security," a White House official told Military Times, adding that a deal "is being worked on" and would be "amazing for the U.S.A."
At the same time, U.S. and Danish officials have been coordinating to expand American security assets on the island. Under a 1951 agreement between Denmark and the United States, American forces are permitted to maintain a presence in Greenland, most notably at Pituffik (Thule Air Base).
Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that discussions with Greenland’s government had been "very productive." He identified Pituffik as an important existing site and said the U.S. is interested in negotiating access to additional areas to strengthen homeland defense capabilities.
Why this matters: Greenland’s geographic position makes it strategically significant for Arctic access, early warning systems and transatlantic security. The episode highlights how geopolitical competition in the Arctic is prompting both defensive contingency planning and renewed negotiations over basing and cooperation.
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