STORY: Denmark announced on Monday a $2 billion boost in defense spending to increase its military presence in the Arctic.
It comes after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has shown renewed interest in controlling Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory and strategically important island.
Denmark is responsible for Greenland’s security and defense but has limited military capabilities on the enormous island, regarded as a security black hole.
At present Denmark’s capacities include four ageing inspection vessels, one surveillance plane and a dozen dog sled patrols.
The new deal includes funding three new Arctic navy vessels, long-range surveillance drones as well as satellite surveillance, Denmark’s defence minister said at a press conference.
Denmark’s political parties agreed to set aside more money for the Arctic in a deal to be presented in the first half of the year.
The U.S. military has a permanent presence in northwestern Greenland, a strategic location for its ballistic missile early-warning system.