Denmark’s armed forces have reacted with relief to the new agreement between Denmark and the United States on Greenland, according to DR’s defense correspondent.
DR reported on September 19 that the deal has eased deep tension inside the Danish military. Defense correspondent Mads Korsager said there is very great relief within the Forsvaret, as reported by DR. He noted that the United States is Denmark’s largest and most important security ally.
Per DR’s account, Denmark has moved from preparing for a possible American invasion of Greenland to an agreement with the Americans. Korsager described the position Denmark was in during January as an entirely extraordinary one for a close ally.
Before January of this year, images of Danish soldiers being sent to Greenland to prepare for a forced American takeover were unthinkable, DR reported. It nevertheless happened.
According to DR, the soldiers carried extra blood supplies and explosives in their baggage. The material would have made it possible to blow up runways to prevent American aircraft from landing on the island.
The Danish Defence raised its activity level in and around Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies. The stated aim was to strengthen the defense of Greenland.
DR published photographs of soldiers in Nuuk taken on January 19 this year. Further images showed troops carrying out training activities in Antenneparken in Nuuk on August 26, 2026.
Narsarsuaq under survey
US President Donald Trump has proclaimed that the United States will immediately begin a large military presence in a suitable part of Greenland. DR reported recently that American engineer soldiers were spotted measuring and mapping the runway at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland.
The soldiers were also charting other possible military base facilities at the site. US Northern Command confirmed to DR that the team of specialists is conducting technical surveys of the runway and other facilities there.
Narsarsuaq was among the largest and most important American bases in Greenland from the Second World War until 1958. As noted by DR, the location could again be significant for the United States in the future.
Korsager said there are indications and signals from the United States that it will now scale up. According to him, it remains to be seen how that will happen and where it will take place.
He added that the division of roles between Denmark, the United States and NATO is still unclear. DR reports that the armed forces can now focus on other pressing tasks, including in the Baltic Sea region.
DR is following developments in the agreement in a running liveblog. Questions about Greenland’s autonomy and the future American footprint on the island remain open, according to the broadcaster’s reporting.
