Denmark increases defense budget by $2.1 billion after pressure from US

(CLO) The Danish government announced that it will spend 14.6 billion Danish kroner (equivalent to 2.05 billion USD) to increase its military presence in the Arctic region, in response to US President Donald Trump's growing interest in Greenland - an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Earlier, President Trump stressed that Greenland is important to US security and called on Denmark to relinquish control of this strategically located island.

A corner of Greenland. Photo: D-Stanley

After more than a decade of significant defense budget cuts, Denmark last year allocated 190 billion kroner ($26 billion) to its military over 10 years, part of which is now earmarked to bolster its forces in the Arctic.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the new budget package will include: three new naval ships deployed in the Arctic, doubling the number of long-range surveillance drones to four, and improving the Satellite Surveillance System to increase detection and tracking capabilities.

Currently, Denmark's military force in Greenland consists of four aging inspection vessels, one Challenger surveillance aircraft, and 12 dog-sled patrol teams. These forces are responsible for a large area, requiring Denmark to significantly increase its resources to meet security requirements.

Greenland plays an important role in US military strategy. Pituffik Air Base in northwest Greenland is now home to a permanent US military base, providing a ballistic missile early warning system. Furthermore, the shortest route from Europe to North America passes through the island, increasing Greenland's strategic value.

The new spending deal also reflects a consensus among Denmark's political parties on protecting national interests against security threats.

At the same time, this move is seen as Denmark's way of strengthening its sovereignty in Greenland in the face of increasingly fierce competition in the Arctic region from Russia, the US and China.

Cao Phong (according to CNN, BBC, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dan-mach-tang-ngan-sach-quoc-phong-them-gan-21-ty-usd-sau-ap-luc-tu-my-post332250.html