Denmark sent soldiers and explosives to Greenland in January so that it could blow up runways in the event of a US invasion, the country’s public broadcaster has said.
Landing strips in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq could have been targeted to prevent US military aircraft from landing soldiers and equipment if President Trump had followed through on threats to invade, DR reported.
Military aircraft also transported blood from Denmark to help treat the wounded in case of battle.
A Royal Danish Air Force plane carrying soldiers lands at Nuuk airport Greenland in January. Pics: Reuters
The emergency moves were allegedly made in the immediate aftermath of the US capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro, which demonstrated Mr Trump’s willingness to use US military might.
Mr Trump has long advocated for the mineral-rich island of Greenland – a self-governing Danish territory – to become part of the United States.
In the past, he has refused to rule out using military force to take the territory.
A Danish F-35. Pic: Reuters
Denmark doubles down
The new report, based upon the testimonies of 12 main sources at the top of Denmark’s government and military, appears to show Copenhagen’s willingness to use force to raise the cost of any US action.
Denmark is said to have sought confidential talks with European allies after the re-election of Mr Trump in 2025 to shore up support against any annexation attempt.
Military bases in Greenland
A French official is quoted as saying that Denmark had decided to “play the game”.
Danish and European allies formed plans to send soldiers and military hardware to Greenland later in 2026, to show the US how seriously Europe took the defence of the island.
However, sources who spoke to DR claimed that US military action in Venezuela on 3 January of this year changed everything.
France’s President Macron answered pleas for aid from Denmark’s Prime Minister Frederiksen. Pic: Reuters
In the days after that military action, the US president repeated that the US “needs Greenland for national security,” going on to say he was “very serious” about it.
A more rapid European response now began, with an advance command of Danish, French, German, Norwegian and Swedish soldiers flying to the territory.
Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in Greenland. Pic: AP
A larger, well publicised and announced, main force followed, as well as Danish fighter jets and a French naval vessel.
The deployment was presented as part of Danish-led joint military exercises called Operation Arctic Endurance, but the real reason was to prepare for and deter a possible US invasion, DR claims.
Danish warships participate in a military exercises in the Artic. Pic: AP
Denmark hoped that having soldiers with as many different flags on their arms as possible would deter US action.
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Instead of just confronting Danish troops, Washington would have had to commit to major hostile action against multiple fellow NATO allies.
While it’s not clear if forces from other European countries would have fought against the US, Danish soldiers were reportedly given live ammunition and permission to engage.
The public nature of Operation Arctic Endurance and intense diplomacy by European leaders, including by the British prime minister, appeared to have worked.
Speaking in Davos at the World Economic Forum on 21 January, Mr Trump said the US “won’t use force” to take Greenland, though he reiterated that the US was “unstoppable”.
Denmark is due to head to the polls on 24 March after the country’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called snap elections.
Opinion polls suggest Ms Frederiksen has received a much-needed popularity boost over her handling of the Greenland-US crisis, after public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and welfare pressures.
