Denmark’s government has put forward a plan to acquire two new Arctic inspection vessels and enhance dog sled patrols to strengthen its military presence in Greenland, particularly in light of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump‘s interest in the territory, according to local media reports.

Additionally, there is a proposal to upgrade the Kangerlussuaq airport, a former U.S. military base located in western Greenland, to support the operation of F-35 fighter jets, as reported by broadcasters DR and TV2 on Friday.

Denmark has already allocated $400 million to enhance surveillance and intelligence capabilities in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions, utilizing long-range drones. This week, Trump reaffirmed his desire to assert control over Greenland, which he considers vital for U.S. security interests.

While Denmark is responsible for the security and defense of Greenland, its military presence on the island is limited. Currently, this includes four aging inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance aircraft, and 12 dog sled patrols, all tasked with monitoring an area that is four times larger than France.

The use of sled dogs for patrolling in Greenland has historical roots dating back to World War II, with these patrols forming a specialized unit within the Royal Danish Navy.

DEFENSE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS

After more than ten years of significant cuts to defense spending, Denmark allocated 190 billion Danish crowns ($26 billion) for military purposes over the next decade, with a portion designated for Arctic initiatives. Danish lawmakers initiated long-overdue discussions on Friday regarding the distribution of these funds, which are being allocated progressively through political agreements. The focus of the discussions was on determining the budget allocation for Greenland’s defense needs.

Earlier this week, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed his eagerness to update President Trump on Denmark’s significant military expansion since his previous administration. However, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen admitted on Thursday that essential military investments had been overlooked for an extended period. Last month, Poulsen indicated that additional resources should be directed towards enhancing Denmark’s military presence in the Arctic, though he did not elaborate on the specifics.

“The concerns from the U.S. are legitimate, and there are substantial issues regarding Greenland,” stated defence analyst and retired navy commander Jens Wenzel Kristoffersen in an interview with Reuters. “The U.S. must feel secure in this region, and if Denmark fails to take action, they may have to address the situation independently.” The U.S. military has a permanent installation at the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest of Greenland, a strategically important site for the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early-warning system, as it represents the most direct route from Europe to North America. On Thursday, the U.S. embassy in Copenhagen confirmed that there are currently no plans to expand the U.S. military presence in Greenland.