Latest news with #JointArcticCommand
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First Post
5 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Denmark's Arctic commander downplays US takeover concerns, eyes Russian deterrence
Denmark's permanent presence consists of four ageing inspection vessels, a small surveillance plane, and dog sled patrols tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France read more The head of Denmark's Arctic command said the prospect of a US takeover of Greenland was not keeping him up at night after talks with a senior US general last week but that more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the Arctic island. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested the United States might acquire Greenland, a vast semi-autonomous Danish territory on the shortest route between North America and Europe vital for the US ballistic missile warning system. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has not ruled out taking the territory by force and, at a congressional hearing this month, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not deny that such contingency plans exist. Such a scenario 'is absolutely not on my mind,' Soren Andersen, head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, told Reuters in an interview, days after what he said was his first meeting with the general overseeing US defence of the area. 'I sleep perfectly well at night,' Anderson said. 'Militarily, we work together, as we always have.' US General Gregory Guillot visited the US Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on June 19-20 for the first time since the US moved Greenland oversight to the Northern command from its European command, the Northern Command said on Tuesday. Andersen's interview with Reuters on Wednesday were his first detailed comments to media since his talks with Guillot, which coincided with Danish military exercises on Greenland involving one of its largest military presences since the Cold War. Russian and Chinese state vessels have appeared unexpectedly around Greenland in the past and the Trump administration has accused Denmark of failing to keep it safe from potential incursions. Both countries have denied any such plans. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Andersen said the threat level to Greenland had not increased this year. 'We don't see Russian or Chinese state ships up here,' he said. Dog sled patrols Denmark's permanent presence consists of four ageing inspection vessels, a small surveillance plane, and dog sled patrols tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France. Previously focused on demonstrating its presence and civilian tasks like search and rescue, and fishing inspection, the Joint Arctic Command is now shifting more towards territorial defence, Andersen said. 'In reality, Greenland is not that difficult to defend,' he said. 'Relatively few points need defending, and of course, we have a plan for that. NATO has a plan for that.' As part of the military exercises this month, Denmark has deployed a frigate, F-16s, special forces and extra troops, and increased surveillance around critical infrastructure. They would leave next week when the exercises end, Andersen said, adding that he would like to repeat them in the coming months. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'To keep this area conflict-free, we have to do more, we need to have a credible deterrent,' he said. 'If Russia starts to change its behaviour around Greenland, I have to be able to act on it.' In January, Denmark pledged over $2 billion to strengthen its Arctic defence, including new Arctic navy vessels, long-range drones, and satellite coverage. France offered to deploy troops to Greenland and EU's top military official said it made sense to station troops from EU countries there. Around 20,000 people live in the capital Nuuk, with the rest of Greenland's 57,000 population spread across 71 towns, mostly on the west coast. The lack of infrastructure elsewhere is a deterrent in itself, Andersen said. 'If, for example, there were to be a Russian naval landing on the east coast, I think it wouldn't be long before such a military operation would turn into a rescue mission,' he said.
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First Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘I sleep perfectly well at night': Danish general downplays US' Greenland takeover fears
Soren Andersen, the head of Denmark's Arctic command, however said that more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the Arctic island read more The head of Denmark's Arctic command said the prospect of a US takeover of Greenland was not keeping him up at night after talks with a senior US general last week but that more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the Arctic island. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested the United States might acquire Greenland, a vast semi-autonomous Danish territory on the shortest route between North America and Europe vital for the US ballistic missile warning system. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has not ruled out taking the territory by force and, at a congressional hearing this month, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not deny that such contingency plans exist. Such a scenario 'is absolutely not on my mind,' Soren Andersen, head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, told Reuters in an interview, days after what he said was his first meeting with the general overseeing U.S. defence of the area. 'I sleep perfectly well at night,' Anderson said. 'Militarily, we work together, as we always have.' US General Gregory Guillot visited the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on June 19-20 for the first time since the U.S. moved Greenland oversight to the Northern command from its European command, the Northern Command said on Tuesday. Andersen's interview with Reuters on Wednesday were his first detailed comments to media since his talks with Guillot, which coincided with Danish military exercises on Greenland involving one of its largest military presences since the Cold War. Russian and Chinese state vessels have appeared unexpectedly around Greenland in the past and the Trump administration has accused Denmark of failing to keep it safe from potential incursions. Both countries have denied any such plans. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Andersen said the threat level to Greenland had not increased this year. 'We don't see Russian or Chinese state ships up here,' he said. Dog sled patrols Denmark's permanent presence consists of four ageing inspection vessels, a small surveillance plane, and dog sled patrols tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France. Previously focused on demonstrating its presence and civilian tasks like search and rescue, and fishing inspection, the Joint Arctic Command is now shifting more towards territorial defence, Andersen said. 'In reality, Greenland is not that difficult to defend,' he said. 'Relatively few points need defending, and of course, we have a plan for that. NATO has a plan for that.' As part of the military exercises this month, Denmark has deployed a frigate, F-16s, special forces and extra troops, and increased surveillance around critical infrastructure. They would leave next week when the exercises end, Andersen said, adding that he would like to repeat them in the coming months. 'To keep this area conflict-free, we have to do more, we need to have a credible deterrent,' he said. 'If Russia starts to change its behaviour around Greenland, I have to be able to act on it.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In January, Denmark pledged over $2 billion to strengthen its Arctic defence, including new Arctic navy vessels, long-range drones, and satellite coverage. France offered to deploy troops to Greenland and EU's top military official said it made sense to station troops from EU countries there. Around 20,000 people live in the capital Nuuk, with the rest of Greenland's 57,000 population spread across 71 towns, mostly on the west coast. The lack of infrastructure elsewhere is a deterrent in itself, Andersen said. 'If, for example, there were to be a Russian naval landing on the east coast, I think it wouldn't be long before such a military operation would turn into a rescue mission,' he said.
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Danish general says he is not losing sleep over US plans for Greenland
Danish general says he is not losing sleep over US plans for Greenland COPENHAGEN - The head of Denmark's Arctic command said the prospect of a U.S. takeover of Greenland was not keeping him up at night after talks with a senior U.S. general last week but that more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the Arctic island. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested the United States might acquire Greenland, a vast semi-autonomous Danish territory on the shortest route between North America and Europe vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system. Trump has not ruled out taking the territory by force and, at a congressional hearing this month, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not deny that such contingency plans exist. Such a scenario "is absolutely not on my mind," Soren Andersen, head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, told Reuters in an interview, days after what he said was his first meeting with the general overseeing U.S. defence of the area. "I sleep perfectly well at night," Anderson said. "Militarily, we work together, as we always have." U.S. General Gregory Guillot visited the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on June 19-20 for the first time since the U.S. moved Greenland oversight to the Northern command from its European command, the Northern Command said on Tuesday. Andersen's interview with Reuters on Wednesday were his first detailed comments to media since his talks with Guillot, which coincided with Danish military exercises on Greenland involving one of its largest military presences since the Cold War. Russian and Chinese state vessels have appeared unexpectedly around Greenland in the past and the Trump administration has accused Denmark of failing to keep it safe from potential incursions. Both countries have denied any such plans. Andersen said the threat level to Greenland had not increased this year. "We don't see Russian or Chinese state ships up here," he said. DOG SLED PATROLS Denmark's permanent presence consists of four ageing inspection vessels, a small surveillance plane, and dog sled patrols tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France. Previously focused on demonstrating its presence and civilian tasks like search and rescue, and fishing inspection, the Joint Arctic Command is now shifting more towards territorial defence, Andersen said. "In reality, Greenland is not that difficult to defend," he said. "Relatively few points need defending, and of course, we have a plan for that. NATO has a plan for that." As part of the military exercises this month, Denmark has deployed a frigate, F-16s, special forces and extra troops, and increased surveillance around critical infrastructure. They would leave next week when the exercises end, Andersen said, adding that he would like to repeat them in the coming months. "To keep this area conflict-free, we have to do more, we need to have a credible deterrent," he said. "If Russia starts to change its behaviour around Greenland, I have to be able to act on it." In January, Denmark pledged over $2 billion to strengthen its Arctic defence, including new Arctic navy vessels, long-range drones, and satellite coverage. France offered to deploy troops to Greenland and EU's top military official said it made sense to station troops from EU countries there. Around 20,000 people live in the capital Nuuk, with the rest of Greenland's 57,000 population spread across 71 towns, mostly on the west coast. The lack of infrastructure elsewhere is a deterrent in itself, Andersen said. "If, for example, there were to be a Russian naval landing on the east coast, I think it wouldn't be long before such a military operation would turn into a rescue mission," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Exclusive-Danish general says he is not losing sleep over US plans for Greenland
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -The head of Denmark's Arctic command said the prospect of a U.S. takeover of Greenland was not keeping him up at night after talks with a senior U.S. general last week but that more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the Arctic island. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested the United States might acquire Greenland, a vast semi-autonomous Danish territory on the shortest route between North America and Europe vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system. Trump has not ruled out taking the territory by force and, at a congressional hearing this month, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not deny that such contingency plans exist. Such a scenario "is absolutely not on my mind," Soren Andersen, head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, told Reuters in an interview, days after what he said was his first meeting with the general overseeing U.S. defence of the area. "I sleep perfectly well at night," Anderson said. "Militarily, we work together, as we always have." U.S. General Gregory Guillot visited the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on June 19-20 for the first time since the U.S. moved Greenland oversight to the Northern command from its European command, the Northern Command said on Tuesday. Andersen's interview with Reuters on Wednesday were his first detailed comments to media since his talks with Guillot, which coincided with Danish military exercises on Greenland involving one of its largest military presences since the Cold War. Russian and Chinese state vessels have appeared unexpectedly around Greenland in the past and the Trump administration has accused Denmark of failing to keep it safe from potential incursions. Both countries have denied any such plans. Andersen said the threat level to Greenland had not increased this year. "We don't see Russian or Chinese state ships up here," he said. DOG SLED PATROLS Denmark's permanent presence consists of four ageing inspection vessels, a small surveillance plane, and dog sled patrols tasked with monitoring an area four times the size of France. Previously focused on demonstrating its presence and civilian tasks like search and rescue, and fishing inspection, the Joint Arctic Command is now shifting more towards territorial defence, Andersen said. "In reality, Greenland is not that difficult to defend," he said. "Relatively few points need defending, and of course, we have a plan for that. NATO has a plan for that." As part of the military exercises this month, Denmark has deployed a frigate, F-16s, special forces and extra troops, and increased surveillance around critical infrastructure. They would leave next week when the exercises end, Andersen said, adding that he would like to repeat them in the coming months. "To keep this area conflict-free, we have to do more, we need to have a credible deterrent," he said. "If Russia starts to change its behaviour around Greenland, I have to be able to act on it." In January, Denmark pledged over $2 billion to strengthen its Arctic defence, including new Arctic navy vessels, long-range drones, and satellite coverage. France offered to deploy troops to Greenland and EU's top military official said it made sense to station troops from EU countries there. Around 20,000 people live in the capital Nuuk, with the rest of Greenland's 57,000 population spread across 71 towns, mostly on the west coast. The lack of infrastructure elsewhere is a deterrent in itself, Andersen said. "If, for example, there were to be a Russian naval landing on the east coast, I think it wouldn't be long before such a military operation would turn into a rescue mission," he said. ($1 = 6.3701 Danish crowns) (Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
The National
28-01-2025
- Business
- The National
Denmark plans $2bn Arctic security boost as Trump eyes Greenland
Denmark has announced a $2 billion upgrade to its Arctic security after US President Donald Trump said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of Greenland. The mineral-rich autonomous territory of 55,000 people belongs to Nato member Denmark but hosts a US air base. Three Arctic vessels and two long-range surveillance surveillance drones will be deployed to the high north in what Greenland's government called a "changing security landscape". The revamp also comes with extra satellite monitoring and an expansion of basic military training for young people in Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is travelling to Berlin, Paris and Brussels this week in a push to shore up her position in Europe, which has largely rejected Mr Trump's designs on Greenland. "Europe is facing a serious situation. With war on the continent and shifts in the geopolitical reality. In moments like this, unity is crucial," Ms Frederiksen said. Denmark's Defence Ministry said it would seek a further cross-party agreement this year to strengthen deterrence in the Arctic. Mr Trump warned of Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic as he told reporters on Air Force One last week that he "doesn't know what claim Denmark has" to the territory. He said a US takeover of Greenland would be for the "protection of the free world". "I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we're going to have it," said Mr Trump, who spoke in his inaugural address of expanding US territory for the first time in decades. "We're the one that can provide the freedom. They can't." European countries are raising defence spending as Russia's war on Ukraine stretches towards a fourth year, while Mr Trump threatens to scale back US support if allies do not pay more. Denmark plans to improve the facilities of a Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland, as part of its latest upgrade. 'We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic," said Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. "For this reason, we must strengthen our presence in the region." The upgrade will cost 14.6 billion Danish kroner ($2.04 billion), said the Defence Ministry. Mr Poulsen said last week that Denmark, one of the founding members of Nato, may have to spend more than $70 billion on its military by 2033. Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland's Minister of Statehood and Foreign Affairs, said the local government was looking forward to more dialogue with the Danish government. 'Greenland is facing a changing security landscape. I am pleased with the steps we are taking towards increased security in and around Greenland with this partial defence agreement," she said.
