अमेरिका ने ग्रीनलैंड में मिलिट्री एयरक्राफ्ट भेजा: पिटुफिक स्पेस बेस पर तैनात होगा; डेनमार्क ने भी सैनिक भेजे

A Danish plane carrying soldiers reached Greenland on Monday.

The dispute between America and Denmark over the occupation of Greenland is increasing. The US has sent a military aircraft of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to Greenland. This aircraft will soon reach Pitufik Space Base.

NORAD said on social media platform The command made it clear that information about this entire process has been given to Denmark and Greenland.

Denmark has also deployed additional troops in Greenland amid Trump’s threat to occupy Greenland. According to the Financial Times report, on Monday several planes arrived in Greenland carrying Danish soldiers and military equipment.

America sent plane after informing Greenland and Denmark

According to a NORAD statement, the aircraft arriving at the Pitufic Space Base will join long-planned defense activities with other aircraft operating from bases in the US and Canada.

These activities have been described as part of the ongoing defense partnership between America, Canada and Denmark. NORAD also said that all necessary diplomatic approvals for this deployment have been obtained.

This step of America has come after Operation Arctic Endurance, a military exercise led by Denmark.

This exercise took place in Greenland, in which Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, Netherlands and Finland also sent their troops in limited numbers.

Possibility of large-scale deployment of troops in Greenland

Denmark already has about 200 soldiers deployed in Greenland. Apart from this, a 14-member Serious Dog Sled Patrol is also present there, which patrols the Arctic areas.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that in the coming days they will be further strengthened through land, air and sea. This number is small, but it is meant to send a political message that NATO is united.

Operation Arctic Endurance is a military exercise led by Denmark. Its purpose is to see what the preparations will be like if a large number of troops have to be deployed in Greenland in the future. According to the Danish Defense Ministry, the focus of this exercise is to increase coordination and working capacity between allied countries in the Arctic region.

There are plans to launch an even bigger mission in the future, which is being called Operation Arctic Sentry. This will be a NATO mission. Its purpose is to increase surveillance in Greenland and its surrounding areas and to strengthen the power to respond militarily to any threat.

However, this mission will not start immediately. According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Operation Arctic Sentry may take several months to start. That is, at present no major new military mission has started in Greenland, but work on its preparation and planning is going on.

German soldiers arrive at the Danish Arctic Command building in Nuuk, Greenland.

Greenland does not have its own army, but soldiers from America and Denmark are deployed

Greenland has no army of its own. Denmark is responsible for its defense and foreign policy. It is an autonomous region of Denmark. The population here is only 57 thousand.

After 2009, the Greenland government has gained leeway in coastal security and some foreign affairs, but the main matters of defense and foreign policy still lie with Denmark.

American soldiers: America’s Pitufik Space Base (Thule Air Base). This base located in the northwest of Greenland is run by the US. This base is used for missile warning system and space monitoring. According to NYT, about 150 to 200 American soldiers are deployed here. These missiles are for warning, space surveillance and Arctic security. This is America’s northernmost military base.

Danish soldier: Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command operates in Greenland. According to media reports, there are a total of about 150 to 200 Danish military and civilian personnel here. Which provide surveillance, search and rescue, and protect sovereignty. This also includes the famous Serious Dog Sled Patrol (a small elite unit, about 12-14 people), which conducts long patrols by dog ​​sled.

European countries preparing to impose retaliatory tariffs on America

Trump has announced to impose a 10% tariff on 8 countries opposing the occupation of Greenland, which will come into effect from February 1. In response to this, the European Union is also seriously considering imposing trade restrictions on America.

For this, the EU is thinking of using a special legal weapon, which is informally called ‘trade bazooka’. Its purpose is to take strict action against those countries which try to exert economic pressure on European countries.

Can Trump merge Greenland with America, know the rules

Trump has been talking about annexing (buying or occupying) Greenland to America since 2019. This issue has again gained prominence in his second term. But legally it is not that easy.

Both Greenland and the United States are NATO countries. According to law, one NATO country cannot legally occupy another NATO country. This would be completely illegal and against the NATO treaty.

Article 5 of NATO says that an attack on one member is an attack on all. If any external enemy attacks, all the members will come together to help.

Greenland should first become independent, then join America: Greenland is currently an autonomous region of Denmark. Under the Self-Government Act of 2009, the people of Greenland can become independent by holding a referendum, but for this the approval of the Danish Parliament is also required.

Why is Greenland so special…

Special geographical location: The geographical position of Greenland is very special. It is located between North America and Europe, i.e. near the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. For this reason it is considered a very important destination in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Strategic Military Importance: Greenland is very important for military and missile surveillance between Europe and Russia. America already has Thule Air Base here, which is necessary for missile warning and monitoring Russian/Chinese activities.

Keep an eye on China and Russia: The activities of Russia and China are increasing in the Arctic region. Due to its influence on Greenland, America wants to strengthen its geopolitical hold in this area.

Natural Resources: Greenland is believed to have large reserves of rare minerals, oil, gas and rare earth elements, which are of great economic and technological importance in the future. China controls 70-90% of their production, so America wants to reduce its dependence.

New maritime trade routes: Due to global warming, Arctic ice is melting, opening up new shipping routes. Control of Greenland will help the US dominate these routes and stop Russia-China advance in the Arctic region.

US Security Policy: The US considers Greenland the “front line” of its national security. By increasing its influence there, it wants to prevent possible future threats in advance.