Denmark commits $8.5B to Arctic security, F-35s
Denmark announced Friday it will spend $8.5 billion on Arctic defenses and 16 additional F‑35s in a bid to deter U.S. pressure to acquire Greenland and to bolster surveillance and sovereignty in the High North. The $4 billion Arctic package funds two Arctic ships (buy/lease), maritime patrol aircraft, drones, a new Arctic Command HQ, an East Greenland early‑warning radar and a subsea cable linking Greenland and Denmark, while $4.5 billion buys 16 F‑35s, bringing Denmark’s fleet to 43; officials cited U.S. concerns and rising Russia/China activity as drivers.
International
Military
📌 Key Facts
- Total spending: $8.5B, with $4.0B for Arctic capabilities and $4.5B for 16 F‑35s (total Danish fleet to 43).
- Arctic investments include two Arctic ships, maritime patrol aircraft, drones, a new Arctic Command HQ, an East Greenland early‑warning radar, and a North Atlantic subsea cable between Greenland and Denmark.
- Danish officials framed the move as addressing U.S. security concerns after President Trump reiterated interest in acquiring Greenland and senior U.S. officials visited urging a break with Copenhagen.
📚 Contextual Background
- Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 2022-02-24.