Denmark is set to allocate over $1.5 billion for the defense of Greenland, as stated by Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen on Tuesday. This announcement comes shortly after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressed his desire for American “ownership and control” over the territory.

In an interview with Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten newspaper, Poulsen revealed that Copenhagen plans to invest a “double digit billion amount” in krone, which translates to at least $1.5 billion, to enhance the Danish military presence in Greenland. The investment will include the acquisition of two patrol boats, two long-range drones, two sled dog teams, and funds to upgrade one of the territory’s civilian airports to support F-35 fighter jets.

“For many years, we have not invested sufficiently in the Arctic; now we are planning to establish a stronger presence,” he remarked.

Just two days prior, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare that “for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”

Trump had previously made similar remarks during his first term, proposing to purchase Greenland from Denmark in what he described as “essentially…a large real estate deal.”

Poulsen emphasized to Jyllands-Posten that the decision to boost military spending in Greenland had been premeditated, noting the “irony of fate” in the timing of the announcement following Trump’s statements.

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, expressed strong discontent in response to Trump’s remarks. He stated, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” while also emphasizing his openness to enhanced trade and collaboration with the United States.

In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule from Denmark, although Copenhagen still governs its defense and foreign policy. Approximately 80% of the island is covered by a substantial ice sheet, with two-thirds of its landmass situated above the Arctic Circle. Additionally, Greenland hosts a significant US Space Force base, recognized as the northernmost American military installation globally.

Acquiring Greenland would significantly increase American access to the Arctic Ocean. Currently, 50% of the Arctic coastline is under Russian control, making the region strategically and sovereignly vital for Moscow.

Trump is not the first president to propose the acquisition of Greenland; the notion was initially raised by Andrew Johnson in the 1860s. Johnson ultimately negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867.