U.S., Denmark and Greenland Sign Deal to Expand American Military Access

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement Tuesday to expand American military access in Greenland and amend their longstanding defense arrangements.

The agreement, signed Sept. 22 in New York, allows the United States to modernize and expand operations at Pituffik Space Base. It also provides for additional defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, with their operating details to be agreed upon by the parties. The United States may propose further defense areas, subject to consultations on their location, size, activities and measures to limit their effects.

The agreement grants U.S. forces access to travel between defense areas by land, air and sea. It also permits U.S. aircraft to fly over and land in Greenland and U.S. public vessels to move undersea within Greenland’s territorial waters, except as the parties mutually agree. It says those rights must be exercised with respect for Greenlandic society and traditional activities, including hunting and fishing.

Other provisions call for faster review of proposed unmanned military installations, closer cooperation against espionage and restrictions on military installations or a persistent military presence by non-NATO countries unless the parties agree otherwise. Greenland, working with Danish authorities, would also apply investment screening rules to certain sensitive activities, including critical infrastructure and resource extraction.

The document refers to a possible “Golden Dome” defense system as one reason for expanded U.S. access. It does not specify where such a system would be placed or authorize a particular installation.

The agreement directs the United States to award contracts connected to defense areas to Greenlandic businesses to the maximum extent possible, taking their capabilities and the feasibility of the work into account. Its preamble reaffirms Danish sovereignty and recognizes the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.

The agreement has no end date, but it has not yet taken effect. It will enter into force after Denmark and Greenland complete the necessary parliamentary procedures and Denmark notifies the United States by diplomatic note.