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Denmark sent troops and explosives to Greenland in January so the country could blow up the runway in the event of a US invasion, the country’s public broadcaster said.
Landing pads in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq could be targeted to prevent US military aircraft from landing troops and equipment if President Trump does so. followed up with threats to attack, DR reports.
Military planes also transported blood from Denmark to help treat injured victims in the event of fighting.
These emergency measures were allegedly taken immediately after the incident US arrest of Venezuelan President Madurowhich shows Trump’s willingness to use US military force.
Trump has long advocated that the mineral-rich island of Greenland – a self-governing territory of Denmark – become part of the United States.
In the past, he has refused to rule out using military force to seize the region.
Danish F-35. Photo: Reuters
Denmark doubled down
This new report, based on the testimony of 12 key sources in the Danish government and military, appears to show Copenhagen’s willingness to use force to raise the costs of US actions.
Denmark is said to have held secret talks with European allies after Trump’s re-election in 2025 to rally support for any annexation effort.
Military base in Greenland
A French official was quoted as saying that Denmark had decided to “play the game”.
Denmark and European allies are drawing up plans to send troops and military hardware to Greenland by the end of 2026, to show the US how serious Europe is about defending the island.
However, sources who spoke to DR stated that the US military action in Venezuela on January 3 this year changed everything.
French President Macron answered a plea for help from Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen. Photo: Reuters
Several days after the military action, the US president repeated the same thing US “needs Greenland for national security,” went on to say he was “very serious” about it.
A more rapid European response now began, with initial commandos of Danish, French, German, Norwegian and Swedish troops flying into the region.
Danish military forces participated in the exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in Greenland. photo: AP
Larger, well-publicized and announced main forces followed, as well as Danish fighter jets and French naval vessels.
The deployment was carried out as part of a Danish-led joint military exercise called Operation Arctic Resilience, but the real reason was to prepare for and prevent a possible US invasion, DR claimed.
Danish warships participate in military exercises in the Arctic. photo: AP
Denmark hoped that having an army with as many different flags as possible would deter US action.
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Rather than simply confronting Danish forces, Washington would have to undertake major hostile actions against several NATO allies.
While it is unclear whether troops from other European countries will fight against the US, Danish soldiers were reportedly given live ammunition and permission to engage.
The public nature of Operation Arctic Resilience and intense diplomacy by European leaders, including by the British prime ministerseems to work.
Speaking in Davos at the World Economic Forum on January 21, Trump said the US “will not use force” to seize Greenland, although he reiterated that the US is “unstoppable”.
Denmark is because go to the polls on March 24 after the country’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called for snap elections.
Polls show that Frederiksen is getting a much-needed popularity boost for his handling of the Greenland-US crisis, following public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and welfare pressures.
