Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian agency: Russia will conduct a nuclear test if the US does
Al-Nakhalah: We are the rightful owners, and we must fight to retrieve our rights
Al-Nakhalah: The enemy and its allies must know that we can never surrender to their terms and diktats after all the sacrifices made
Al-Nakhalah: The prisoner exchange clause can be completed in the next few days, and thus we will have pulled the [explosion] fuse and removed the enemy's justifications for aggression
Al-Nakhalah: The Resistance has expressed its willingness to negotiate on the basis that there are items that can be dealt with positively, the first of which is the prisoner exchange item
Al-Nakhalah: Trump's plan entails the Palestinian people's declaration of complete surrender to the enemy
PIJ Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, in an address aired on Al Mayadeen: The Resistance is engaging in a fierce negotiating battle under the so-called Trump plan
Russian Federation Council approves joint military cooperation agreement with Cuba
Al-Nunu: Today, the lists of prisoners required to be released, the agreed-upon criteria and numbers, were exchanged
Al-Nunu from Sharm el-Sheikh: Negotiations focused on mechanisms for implementing an end to the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners

Denmark to expand Greenland patrols as Trump eyes control

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Jan 2025 10:48
3 Min Read

The use of sled dogs for patrols in Greenland dates back to World War II, with these patrols forming a specialized unit of the Royal Danish Navy.

Listen
  • x
  • Homes are illuminated after the sunset in Tasiilaq, Greenland, and Friday, August 16, 2019. (AP)
    Homes are illuminated after the sunset in Tasiilaq, Greenland, on Friday, August 16, 2019. (AP)

Denmark’s government has proposed purchasing two new Arctic inspection vessels and increasing dog sled patrols to strengthen its military presence in Greenland, as US President-elect Donald Trump continues to express interest in the island, local media reported.

The proposal also includes upgrading the airport in Kangerlussuaq, a former US military base in western Greenland, to accommodate F-35 fighter jets, as reported by broadcasters DR and TV2 on Friday.

Denmark has already allocated $400 million to enhance surveillance and intelligence capabilities in the Arctic and North Atlantic, including long-range drones. Trump reiterated his interest this week in securing control over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Arctic territory of Denmark, which he considers crucial to US security.

While Denmark is responsible for Greenland’s defense and security, its military presence on the island is limited. Currently, it consists of four aging inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance plane, and 12 dog sled patrols, tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France. The use of sled dogs for patrols in Greenland dates back to World War II, with these patrols forming a specialized unit of the Royal Danish Navy.

Related News

Trump urges arrest of Illinois Dems over resisting troops

US travel industry loses $1B amid prolonged government shutdown

Defense spending talks

After years of significant defense cuts, Denmark allocated 190 billion Danish crowns ($26 billion) last year for its military over the next decade, with some of the funds earmarked for the Arctic. Danish lawmakers began discussions on Friday about how to allocate these funds, with a focus on Greenland’s defense needs.

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed his intention to inform Trump about Denmark’s "massive" military buildup since his previous term as president. However, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen acknowledged on Thursday that essential military investments had been "neglected for many years." Poulsen stated last month that more resources should be directed toward Denmark’s military presence in the Arctic but did not provide specifics.

"The US concerns are real, and there are some very concrete, huge problems in relation to Greenland," said retired Navy commander and defense analyst Jens Wenzel Kristoffersen. "The US needs to feel safe in this area, and if Denmark doesn't do something about this, then they will have to deal with it themselves."

The US military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which is crucial for its ballistic missile early-warning system. The base’s strategic location is vital, as the shortest route from Europe to North America passes over the island. However, the US embassy in Copenhagen clarified on Thursday that there were no plans to increase the US military presence in Greenland.

Read more: Trump team allegedly bribed Greenlanders for support in purchase promo

  • United States
  • Greenland
  • sled dogs for patrols
  • Denmark
  • Royal Danish Navy
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
Al-Quds Brigades strike a command and control center north of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, in an undated screengrab from the al-Quds Brigades military media

Gaza resistance announces major operations against Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Retired Israeli General Brik says Israel has reached point of no return.
Politics

Retired Israeli General Brik: 'Israel has reached point of no return'

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation
Politics

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation

Gaza’s newborns gasp for life as hospitals collapse amid Israeli war
Health

Gaza newborns gasp for life, share oxygen masks amid collapsed system

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls
Politics

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS