Danish fighter aircraft to Greenland: « Signal to Donald Trump »
The Danes increases its military presence In Greenland and in the Arctic during the summer, the Greenland government states in a press release.
Special forces will practice in a winter environment, F-16-plan will be stationed at the airport in Kangerlussuaq and patrol Greenland’s west coast, a frigate will help with maritime tasks in the Arctic and two helicopters will provide operational support.
« The security policy situation requires the defense to train on operations in and around Greenland, » says Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland’s Foreign and Independence Minister in a written statement.
Denmark’s actions are not Surprisingly, and it is a clear diplomatic signal to US President Donald Trump, following his statements about taking over the island, according to Niklas Granholm, research leader at the Total Defense Research Institute, FOI.
– This is one of Denmark’s counterpart, that they increase their military presence. I think this is exactly what to do. Talking that this is part of the Danish rigsfælsskabet, as it is called, and that it will continue to be, he says.
– You signal to parts of the US establishment that you will not fold down, he continues.
Already in 2019, Donald Trump raised for the first time the idea of buying Greenland. During his second presidential period, the same message has been repeated time and time again. But Denmark’s politicians have been clear – the autonomous island is not for sale.
– It is a first class crisis for Denmark, says Niklas Granholm.
The Danish defense in Greenland is relatively weak, and if the United States would really like to take over Greenland with military means, Denmark would not have much to oppose. But how much strengths that Denmark actually send to Greenland are not important in this situation, he emphasizes.
– You should not stare blindly at the size here. Sea and air combat forces are used as a diplomatic signal. It’s not that you think « now the Americans come and try to invade the place ». It aims to make it more difficult for Americans to say that it was unjust or « you did not do this, » says Granholm.
On Saturday came too Notice that France’s President Emmanuel Macron is planning to visit Greenland on June 15, to discuss, among other things, the security situation in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. That visit can be followed by several.
– It’s also a signal. I would like to think that there will be several such types of visits. Maybe a Nordic visit even in a while. Maybe a British too, says Niklas Granholm.
The act also aims to send a signal to European friends and allies that Denmark will not fold down, according to Granholm.
Although Trump raised the issue of taking over Greenland as early as 2019, Denmark has only recently decided to greatly increase resources in its defense.
– Denmark has not until recently decided to increase. There they have to take on that they did not do well, says Niklas Granholm.
Statements about taking over Greenland should be seen in the light of Trump also expressing that he wants to take control of the Panama Canal, which the United States left to Panama in the late 1970s, and that he wants to see Canada as the 51st state.
-It is part of a 19th century attitude that the Trump administration expresses, says Granholm.
At the same time, security experts, including Niklas Granholm himself, have previously warned of That Russia can try to make a deal with the United States in the Arctic, where Trump gets Greenland, and Putin Svalbard.
– You should probably follow this very closely. Both parts, says Granholm.
After all, he does not consider that Donald Trump will take a hit, and try to take Greenland with military means, given that both countries belong to NATO and are allies.
– I don’t think it’s going that far. But on the other hand, you can’t know what is moving in his head. He is by nature unpredictable.
Read more:
