Can Denmark Defend Greenland Against US? A Military Comparison Between Them

Last Updated:January 10, 2026, 20:18 IST

Trump’s push for US control of Greenland alarms Europe and NATO, citing its mineral wealth and strategic Arctic location, while Denmark vows to strengthen Greenland’s defences.

File photo of Donald Trump. (Image: AP/File)

Renewing his long-standing interest in Greenland, US President Donald Trump has sparked concern across Europe and within NATO, as the White House indicated that a range of options, including potential military measures, are being considered to bring the semi-autonomous Danish territory under American control.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is rich in untapped mineral resources. Though it lies on the North American continent, it remains politically linked to Europe through Denmark.

Any effort to take control of the island would be highly complex. Beyond political obstacles, a military move would risk putting the US in direct confrontation with its own NATO allies.

However, Denmark and Greenland are nonetheless taking the threat seriously.

According to CNBC, Danish Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark would do “anything" to strengthen Greenland’s defences, citing “the serious security situation we find ourselves in." Despite this, analysts told CNBC they do not expect European forces to ever open fire on US troops.

The United States already has extensive access to Greenland. Under a little-known 1951 Cold War-era agreement, Washington holds broad rights to establish and expand military facilities on the island, with the consent of Denmark and Greenland.

Currently, the US maintains more than 100 military personnel at its Pituffik base. Under the same agreement, Washington could quickly bolster its troop presence without violating any formal treaty obligations, effectively enabling it to assert control over the territory without a conventional invasion.

US military manpower dwarfs that of other NATO members, states the CNBC report. NATO estimates showed that the United States fielded about 1.3 million active personnel in 2024, while the remaining alliance members together accounted for roughly 2.1 million troops.

With its armed forces numbering around 4,81,00, Turkey followed as the largest contributor after the US.

According to Global Firepower’s 2025 rankings, the US holds the top spot, while Denmark is ranked 45th out of 145 countries, highlighting a stark gap in military strength.

The United States fields approximately 2,127,500 personnel across its armed forces, compared with around 83,000 in Denmark’s army, navy, and air force. The disparity is even more pronounced in air power, with the US operating roughly 1,790 fighter jets and 5,843 helicopters, while Denmark has just 31 fighter jets and 34 helicopters.

Reportedly, the Royal Danish Navy employs around 3,500 personnel and operates about nine frigates, with no submarines in service. Its naval manpower is reportedly comparable to the combined crews of India’s aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

Geography further limits Denmark’s defensive capabilities. Greenland is located nearly 3,000 kilometres from the Danish mainland, making rapid troop deployment difficult and time-consuming in the event of a sudden crisis.

Greenland’s location above the Arctic Circle provides access to key naval and shipping routes. The island’s significance is further heightened by its vast reserves of rare earth minerals.

Trump has repeatedly highlighted Greenland’s natural resources and strategic importance, arguing that US control would help counter Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic, where he asserts their naval presence has grown.

News world Can Denmark Defend Greenland Against US? A Military Comparison Between Them

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