Amid all the wrangling taking place over Greenland, the United States’ repeated approval of arms sales to Denmark is soaked in a thick irony—it’s like selling someone a gun while they practice aiming back at you.
Since taking office in January 2025, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly evoked the need to occupy Denmark’s autonomous territory, Greenland, insisting that the US needs it for national security.
“Greenland is critical not just to our national security, but to the world’s national security,” Trump said earlier this month. “The entire missile defence infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland.
The President has accelerated his efforts to seize the territory in recent times, with high-ranking officials of the Trump administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, getting directly involved in the discussions with Danish officials.
In fact, the Trump administration is trying every trick in the book as a hedge against the unrelenting Danish government. For instance, US officials have reportedly discussed sending lump-sum payments to Greenlanders as part of a bid to convince them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States of America.
Danish officials, backed by their NATO allies in Europe, have fiercely opposed US intervention. Meanwhile, Greenland’s political leaders have issued statements rejecting US control, emphasising their desire for independence as Greenlanders rather than becoming American or remaining Danish.
Amid pushback from NATO over the open threats, Trump said the US needs to “own” Greenland to prevent Russia and China from doing so. “If we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour. Okay?”, Trump said in his latest warning. “I would like to make a deal the easy way. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
The President asserted that his administration will take action on Greenland “whether they like it or not,” suggesting that an invasion of Greenland is on the cards. Interestingly, the fiery comments come after two successful back-to-back US military interventions in Iran and Venezuela, respectively.
On its part, Denmark appears to be preparing for that eventuality. In addition to making frantic diplomatic efforts, Danish troops have reportedly been ordered to “shoot first, talk later” without awaiting orders from Commanders if anyone were to invade Greenland—a directive that was first given when Nazi Germany attacked Denmark in April 1940.
The US is Arming Denmark
Denmark’s defence of Greenland against a hypothetical US invasion would be a complex and asymmetric scenario, given the vast disparity in military power between the two countries.
In fact, experts believe that Denmark lacks the capacity for a prolonged conventional defence against the US, and the response would likely emphasise rapid initial resistance, diplomatic escalation, and leveraging NATO alliances to deter or halt aggression.
The most potent weapon system in the Danish military is the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, supplied by the US.
Denmark originally ordered 27 F-35s to replace its F-16s, with deliveries ongoing. In 2025, Denmark committed to acquiring 16 additional F-35s, bringing the total planned fleet to 43 aircraft. This includes support for simulators, spare parts, and even Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
Interestingly, Denmark has been considering operating these state-of-the-art stealth fighters from Greenland. Copenhagen earlier said it will upgrade the defunct Kangerlussuaq airport in Greenland to accommodate the F-35 stealth aircraft, as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.
If the Royal Danish Air Force deploys the aircraft, will it be an F-35 Vs F-35 battle remains to be seen.
That said, the United States has accelerated arms sales to Denmark amid a rising security threat from Russia post-Ukraine’s invasion in February 2022.
However, amid prevailing circumstances, this adds a layer of absurdity.
In December 2025, the US approved the sale of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, primarily for Danish F-35s.
Separately, the US has also bolstered Denmark’s air defence capability by approving two Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) systems with Indirect Fire Protection Capability, and by selling 236 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) systems to Denmark in the same month.
While not specified, reports state that these missiles will likely equip the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) ground-based air-defence units of the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF).
On January 8, 2026, the US government approved the sale of AGM-114R Hellfire air-to-surface missiles to Denmark, despite rising tensions between the two countries. The estimated cost of the deal is $45 million, as announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
“The proposed sale will improve Denmark’s capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring aviation forces’ interoperability with the United States and other allied forces as well as their ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest by delivering follow-on support and sustainment,” the DSCA said in an official statement. “By operating the AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, Denmark contributes to global readiness and enhances the capability for the US forces operating globally alongside them.”
Although the host platform for the Hellfire missiles was not specified in the notification, they will likely be carried by either the MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicle or the Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopter.
Notably, Denmark ordered the SeaGuardian drone in July 2025.
The US has also approved a possible sale to Denmark of up to three P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
In addition to the P-8s, Denmark would also get Joint Tactical Radio Systems, Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N, NexGEN Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N, AN/AAQ-2(V) acoustic systems, AN/APY-10 radar systems, ALQ-213 early warning management systems, and electro-optical and infrared MX-20HD systems.
Additionally, the Danish Defence Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, stated in September 2025 that the nation was considering investing millions of euros to purchase P-8s to monitor Greenland’s coastal waters. At the time, an agreement for cooperation and sharing was also being assessed.
Denmark has a long history of acquiring American equipment, with billions of dollars worth of military sales currently in the pipeline. And, although it has chosen some European defence systems, such as the SAMP/T over Patriot, it continues bet big on US-supplied military equipment.
In a hypothetical US-Denmark clash over Greenland, will the Danish military really fire first remains a mystery; however, experts believe that any real US move would likely be unopposed militarily, given Denmark’s limited Arctic forces and reliance on NATO protection.
- Contact the author at sakshi.tiwari13 (at) outlook.com
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