US Seeks More Military Bases in Greenland

The United States and Denmark have been holding high-level talks over expanding the American military presence in Greenland, including the possible establishment of three new US bases, according to a BBC report citing officials familiar with the discussions.

The proposed bases would be located in southern Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The White House confirmed that it is involved in talks with both Denmark and Greenland, saying the administration is optimistic about the direction of negotiations, but declined to discuss details.

Denmark’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that discussions are underway. “There is an ongoing diplomatic track with the United States,” a spokesperson told the BBC, while declining to elaborate.

According to one source familiar with the talks, Washington has suggested that the three new bases be formally designated as US sovereign territory. The BBC reported that broader US ambitions to acquire Greenland, previously raised by President Donald Trump, have not been part of the current negotiations.

The bases would reportedly focus on surveillance of Russian and Chinese activity in the northern Atlantic, particularly around the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap, a strategically important maritime corridor. The US is also interested in expanded radar coverage to monitor waters used by Russian vessels and submarines.

Greenland is central to North Atlantic and Arctic security. The shortest route between Europe and North America passes through the island, making it important for ballistic missile early-warning systems. Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, is closer to New York than to Copenhagen, because geography likes making political arrangements look faintly ridiculous.

At least one of the proposed bases would reportedly be built at Narsarsuaq, the site of a former US military facility. Other locations would likely be chosen based on existing infrastructure, including airfields or ports that could be upgraded.

The talks are being led by senior State Department official Michael Needham, according to the BBC. A senior diplomat said the administration is approaching the negotiations “very professionally.”

The negotiations are expected to remain within the framework of a 1951 defense agreement between the US and Denmark, which allows the US to expand military operations in Greenland with Danish approval. Arctic security experts told the BBC that Denmark has never rejected an official US request to expand its military presence there.

The US currently operates one military base in Greenland, Pittufik Space Base, which supports missile warning for NORAD. During the Cold War, the US had around 17 facilities on the island.

Trump appointed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, but three sources told the BBC he has not taken part in the talks. One Landry ally said he had been expected to serve more as a public advocate for the idea of Greenland as a US security asset.