The United States plans to open two new military bases in Greenland, and Narsarsuaq in South Greenland is among the possible locations.
According to DR, the United States intends to expand its military presence in Greenland by establishing two new bases. The broadcaster reported the plan on September 21, based on its own information.
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday that Washington would immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the relevant part of Greenland. He also stated that the United States would cooperate with Greenland’s population.
Skepticism in Narsarsuaq
In the settlement of Narsarsuaq, there is doubt about a permanent American presence. Ole Guldager, who runs Narsarsuaq Museum, told DR that houses lie close to the runway. He fears there will be no room for local residents if a base is built there.
Per Guldager, it is hard to imagine residents living alongside American forces, and activity in the area would be tightly controlled. He added that trust in the American administration would have to be rebuilt first, pointing to what he described as unpredictability over recent years.
Aqqaluk Lynge, founder of the Greenlandic party Inuit Ataqatigiit and former president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, said he understands the fear of having to move. He stressed that nothing concrete is known until the design of any new base is clear. According to Lynge, Greenland must insist on keeping a civilian section in Narsarsuaq.
Malene Vahl Rasmussen, mayor of Kommune Kujalleq, said the municipality will not compromise on civil rights or the settlement’s status if a base is opened in Narsarsuaq. Neither Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen nor Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus would comment on the specific content of the agreement with the United States.
Frederiksen told DR on the evening of September 21 that she cannot go into the substance before an agreement is signed. DR reports that Trump, Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen are expected to sign the agreement on September 22.
Business group sees potential gains
The business organization Grønlands Erhverv believes a deal between Greenland, Denmark and the United States can benefit Greenland’s business sector. Christian Kjeldsen noted that all parties have so far called the agreement satisfactory, which he said forms the basis for a win-win-win outcome. He does not know the content of the agreement.
Narsarsuaq previously hosted a large American military base named Bluie West 1. It was active from 1941 to 1958, and the runway was built and later extended there before being handed to Denmark and converted into a civilian airport.
The United States currently operates only one base in Greenland. It is Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, as noted by DR.
