US sends aircraft to Greenland as tensions rise
The aircraft will soon arrive in Greenland, strengthening regional defence plans as strategic focus on the Arctic quietly intensifies.
The United States is preparing to deploy military aircraft to a strategically important base in Greenland, a move that has drawn fresh attention as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on European allies over his long-stated ambition to acquire the Arctic territory.
According to the US military, the aircraft “will soon arrive” at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said the deployment is part of long-planned regional defence operations and should not be seen as a sudden or unilateral escalation. Still, the timing has sparked intense political interest, coming as Trump sharpens his rhetoric and economic threats toward Europe.
In a statement shared on X, NORAD said the incoming aircraft would operate alongside forces based in the continental United States and Canada. Together, they would support a range of pre-scheduled NORAD activities aimed at strengthening air and space defence across the Arctic region. The command emphasised that the mission reflects “enduring defence cooperation” with both Canada and Denmark, underlining the alliance framework that has long governed security in the High North.
NORAD also stressed that the deployment had been fully coordinated with Denmark and that Greenland’s government was informed in advance. No specific timeline was given for when the aircraft would arrive or how long they would remain at the base. Even so, analysts note that Greenland’s growing strategic importance — amid climate change, melting ice, and rising great-power competition — makes any military movement there closely watched.
Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, sits at a critical crossroads between North America and Europe. Its location makes it central to missile warning systems, Arctic air patrols and space surveillance, particularly as Russia and China expand their activities in the region. The Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has long been a cornerstone of US and NATO defence architecture.
Yet the military announcement comes against a politically charged backdrop. President Trump has renewed and intensified his push to acquire Greenland, a proposal that has repeatedly been rejected by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders. In recent weeks, Trump has coupled his ambitions with sharp economic pressure, threatening sweeping tariffs against a broad group of European countries.
Under Trump’s plan, tariffs of at least 10 percent would begin on February 1 and rise to as much as 25 percent by June. The measures would target Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland. Trump has said the tariffs would remain in place until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, framing the move as essential to US national security.
The threats have triggered strong reactions across Europe, where leaders see the proposal as an attack on sovereignty and international norms. On Monday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola delivered one of the clearest rebukes yet, declaring that Greenland “is not for sale.”
“Europe supports Denmark and the people of Greenland,” Metsola said. “We do so united in our resolve.” She added that Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity “need to be respected,” making clear that the European Union views the issue as non-negotiable.
Metsola also sought to strike a careful balance, rejecting Trump’s demands while leaving the door open for dialogue. “That fact will not change,” she said, referring to Greenland’s status. At the same time, she stressed that Europe remains willing to engage diplomatically. “Europe will always be open to continue to discuss in a spirit of mutual respect.”
In Denmark and Greenland, Trump’s comments have been met with frustration and concern. Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly said their future will be decided by the people of the island, not by foreign powers. Many residents fear that becoming a geopolitical bargaining chip could undermine their autonomy and cultural identity.
Meanwhile, US officials insist the aircraft deployment should not be conflated with Trump’s political messaging. Defence planners point out that Arctic patrols, surveillance flights and joint exercises have been scheduled months or even years in advance. Still, few doubt that military posture and political pressure are becoming increasingly intertwined as competition in the Arctic intensifies.
As global powers jostle for influence in the far north, Greenland has emerged as both a strategic prize and a symbol of wider tensions between Washington and its traditional allies. For now, the arrival of US aircraft at Pituffik underscores the region’s growing importance — and the delicate balance between cooperation, coercion and diplomacy that defines today’s Arctic politics.