The United States is preparing to send military aircraft to a strategically significant base in Greenland, according to an announcement by the US military, a move that comes at a time of rising geopolitical tension linked to Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire the Arctic territory.
The aircraft “will soon arrive” at the Pituffik Space Base, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said. NORAD explained that the deployment is part of long-established regional defence planning and is intended to support previously scheduled operational activities in the Arctic region.
In a statement posted on X, NORAD said the aircraft would operate alongside assets already flying from bases in the continental United States and Canada. Together, these forces would contribute to a range of pre-planned NORAD missions, underscoring what the command described as “enduring defence cooperation” among the United States, Canada, and Denmark.
NORAD emphasised that the deployment had been coordinated with Danish authorities and that Greenland’s local government had been informed in advance. While the military did not provide a specific timeline for the aircraft’s arrival, the announcement has drawn heightened attention due to its timing, coinciding with Trump’s increasingly forceful rhetoric toward European allies over Greenland.
The military move comes as Trump escalates economic pressure on Europe. He has threatened to impose sweeping tariffs—beginning at 10 per cent on February 1 and rising to as much as 25 per cent by June—on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. Trump has said these tariffs would remain in effect unless the United States is permitted to purchase Greenland, framing the issue as a matter of national and global security.
Trump’s remarks have triggered a strong political backlash across Europe. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, stated unequivocally on Monday that Greenland “is not for sale.” She added that Europe stands firmly behind Denmark and the people of Greenland, stressing that the island’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.
Metsola said Europe remains united on the issue and insisted that this position would not change. At the same time, she signalled that the European Union remains open to dialogue, saying discussions should continue in a spirit of mutual respect, even as core principles are defended.
Amid the growing tension, Denmark has also taken steps to bolster security on the island. Danish authorities confirmed that additional troops have been deployed to Greenland in recent days to strengthen its defences. The troop movement has attracted attention, particularly given Denmark’s status as one of Washington’s closest allies.
At the same time, Denmark has proposed expanding NATO’s role in the region. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on Monday that Copenhagen has suggested NATO conduct surveillance operations in Greenland. The proposal, he said, has the backing of Greenland’s authorities and was discussed during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Poulsen said Denmark had emphasised the need for NATO to place greater focus on security in the far north and the wider Arctic region. While specific details of the proposed surveillance mission have yet to be finalised, he noted that discussions have progressed to a point where a practical framework could soon be developed. This would allow the plan to move closer to implementation in cooperation with NATO partners and Greenland’s government.
Despite the escalating rhetoric and military activity, some European leaders have sought to play down fears of direct conflict. On Monday, Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, dismissed concerns that the United States would resort to military force to take control of Greenland, suggesting that such a scenario remains unlikely even amid the current tensions.
