Greenland Strengthens Arctic Security Amid Global Interest

Miilu Gehlert has just spent hours piloting a water taxi through the winding Nuuk Fjord, north of Greenland’s capital, but he says his toughest challenge came during Greenland’s Arctic Basic Training program.

Launched last year under the oversight of the Danish military, the program is designed to equip young Greenlanders with skills in emergency preparedness, search and rescue, and military readiness. Participants undergo rigorous experiences that include multi-day expeditions, close coordination with police and firefighters, and naval training across Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.

“We were out for four days and maybe managed to get around 10 hours of sleep,” Gehlert recalled. “Full of mosquitoes, not a lot of sleep, had to keep an eye open for enemies — yeah, it was tough.”

The program exemplifies the efforts of Denmark and Greenland to strengthen security across the vast territory, home to roughly 56,000 people scattered across the world’s largest island.

“Greenland is so big, and we don't have a lot of people to protect it,” Gehlert said. “And now that the U.S.A. is threatening us … yeah, we need to improve.”

Geopolitical Stakes in the Arctic

Greenland’s strategic importance has come under increased international attention in recent years. Former U.S. President Donald Trump famously suggested buying the territory, while his administration continues to emphasize Greenland’s value for international security.

The self-governing territory, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, already hosts a permanent U.S. military base at Pituffik Space Base and attracts interest for its mineral resources and strategic North Atlantic location. Melting sea ice is opening new Arctic shipping routes, which has drawn the attention of countries like Russia and China.

“Climate change drives a lot of activities in the Arctic area, and that will provide even larger tasks for the military force,” said Lars Nielsen, Deputy Commander of the Danish Joint Arctic Command. Nielsen highlighted the logistical challenges of securing Greenland, which stretches 2,700 kilometers, 80 to 90 percent of it covered in ice.

Strengthening Cooperation With Canada

As the Arctic faces growing strategic pressures, Greenland is also deepening ties with Canada, a fellow Arctic nation. Canada’s ambassador to Denmark, Carolyn Bennett, stressed the importance of these bonds.

“This isn’t foreign affairs, this is family,” Bennett said, referencing the shared Inuit populations across northern Canada and Greenland. Canada’s federal government plans to open a consulate in Nuuk, while Greenland aims to establish diplomatic representation in Ottawa, emphasizing the value of collaboration with like-minded neighbors.

Bennett noted that Canada can support Greenland in maintaining sovereignty amid U.S. interest in Arctic military and mineral opportunities.

“Canada must understand… if the Americans want more bases or Arctic security, we support the Greenlandic approach — which maintains their sovereignty,” she said.

Deep Cultural and Historical Connections

Beyond politics, the historical and cultural ties between Greenland and Canada are strong. Frederik Fuuja Larsen, curator at the Greenland National Museum and Archives, highlighted the enduring bonds between Arctic communities.

“Our direct ancestors … the Thule Inuit people, are the same people who also live in Canada and Alaska now,” Larsen said. “We are very tied with these people — we are actually families, the Arctic people in Canada, Alaska, and Greenland.”

Larsen added that online support from Canadians has strengthened a sense of solidarity, particularly in response to U.S. interest in Greenland.

“Somehow it feels very safe, actually,” he said.

As Greenland continues to build local defense capacity, expand international partnerships, and navigate complex geopolitical pressures, the territory is asserting itself as a key player in Arctic security. Programs like the Arctic Basic Training initiative, combined with diplomatic engagement with Canada and vigilance against external threats, signal a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and sovereignty of the world’s largest island.