Denmark: new political agreement on Arctic capabilities.

The Danish Government (the Social Democratic Party) and Venstre (The Liberal Party), the Danish People’s Party, the Social Liberal Party, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Alliance have entered into a framework agreement on the strengthening of the Danish Defence capabilities in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. The agreement translates the 1.5 billion DKK from the 2019 Supplemental Agreement to the Danish Defence Agreement 2018-2023 into concrete actions.

Follow Air Recognition on Google News at this link

New capabilities in the Arctic and North Atlantic (Picture source: Danish MoD)

The Parties agree that Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland have a special responsibility for defence and security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. The framework will significantly strengthen the Danish Defence’s capabilities to track and monitor the steadily increasing activities in the region. This will be done through investments in high-tech unmanned systems and capabilities. The efforts take place in dialogue and cooperation with the United States and other Arctic allies, while founded in NATO. Political support from the Faroe Islands and Greenland to the radars and construction work is of key importance. The Danish Ministry of Defence has a close dialogue with the Faroe Islands and Greenland and looks forward to their responses and a continued close cooperation.

The Parties want the increased and strengthened capabilities in the Arctic and the North Atlantic to provide both military and civilian benefits. The framework agreement should therefore also strengthen the capabilities of the Danish Defence to support civil society through search and rescue operations, emergency operations, environmental surveillance, fisheries control, monitoring of the climate and research etc.

 (Picture source: Danish MoD)

The increased presence should be done in a way that limits the carbon footprint in the vulnerable Artic environment. This will be done through inter alia the use of drones and satellites as well as energy efficient solutions in the implementation of the initiatives.

In cooperation with Naalakkersuisut (The Government of Greenland) a new basic military training will be established to strengthen Greenlandic citizens’ opportunity to take part in the defence of Greenland.

Minister of Defence, Trine Bramsen, The Social Democratic Party, states: "We have seen an increase in foreign activities in the Artic and the North Atlantic. For this reason, we need better surveillance and presence in the region. Not to escalate conflicts. But because we need to take the threats seriously. This will take place in a close cooperation between Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. I am very pleased that we have entered a broad political agreement on strengthening efforts in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. I would like to thank the parties to the agreement for the strong cooperation"