Denmark quietly prepared contingency plans to defend Greenland earlier this year amid fears that the United States, under President Donald Trump, could attempt to seize the strategically vital Arctic island, according to reports by Danish broadcaster DR and confirmed by European officials.
Citing multiple high-level sources within the Danish government, military, and allied nations, DR reported that Danish troops deployed to Greenland in January were briefed for extreme scenarios, including the possibility of destroying airport runways in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq to prevent US forces from landing.
The revelations highlight a rare moment of tension between NATO allies, as both Denmark and the United States are members of the alliance. Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has long held geopolitical importance due to its location in the Arctic and proximity to emerging shipping routes and military corridors.
According to the report, Denmark also transported blood supplies and medical resources to Greenland in preparation for potential casualties in the event of armed conflict. A senior Danish military official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that only a limited number of personnel were aware of the sensitive operation.
The situation reportedly escalated following a US operation in Caracas involving Nicolás Maduro, which heightened concerns in Copenhagen about Washington’s willingness to act decisively abroad. Shortly after, Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, calling it critical for US national security and citing unverified claims about foreign naval activity in the region.
Greenland’s leadership and Danish authorities have consistently rejected any proposal for the island’s annexation. However, Trump’s repeated statements—combined with recent global developments—prompted Denmark to take precautionary measures.
DR reported that Denmark sought political backing from European allies, including France and Germany, as well as Nordic countries. A joint military presence was subsequently established, involving Danish, French, German, Norwegian, and Swedish troops. The deployment was publicly framed as part of a routine exercise named “Operation Arctic Endurance.”
French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier indicated that the mission could be reinforced with additional land, air, and naval assets if required. Reports suggest that elite Danish units and French cold-weather warfare specialists were among those deployed, along with aircraft and a naval vessel in the North Atlantic.
A Danish defence source told DR that the objective was to increase the potential cost of any military action by the US. “The US would have to carry out a hostile act to get Greenland,” the source said, acknowledging that Danish forces would likely struggle to repel a full-scale American operation.
Tensions appeared to ease later in January when Trump stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he did not intend to use force to acquire Greenland. He instead called for negotiations, saying the US sought a strategic arrangement rather than confrontation.
Despite the de-escalation, the episode underscores growing strategic competition in the Arctic and the fragility of alliances when national security interests collide.