Kathmandu— Denmark recently deployed approximately 100 military conscripts to Greenland, marking a historic move as Copenhagen seeks to reinforce its sovereignty over the Arctic territory. The deployment comes after former US President Donald Trump publicly expressed interest in purchasing or annexing Greenland, citing national security concerns and access to rare-earth minerals. While considered unlikely, Danish officials have taken steps to deter potential military action by increasing their presence on the island and inviting allied nations to participate in joint exercises.

Increased Military Presence

The conscripts, from the Schleswig Infantry Regiment, arrived in Nuuk earlier this month and will split their time between training and operational tasks. Some troops are stationed in Nuuk itself, while others have been deployed 350 kilometers north to Kangerlussuaq, a strategically important airbase with historical ties to US military operations during World War II and the Cold War. This deployment represents the first group of recruits undertaking an eleven-month service commitment as part of Denmark’s expanded conscription program.

Expanded Conscription Policy

In 2024, Denmark significantly broadened its conscription policy, extending the mandatory service period from four months to eleven and opening it up to women. The annual number of conscripts has also been increased from 5,000 to 7,000. This expansion is intended to bolster Denmark’s overall military capabilities and provide a larger pool of trained personnel for deployments like the one in Greenland.

Operation Arctic Endurance

The deployment of conscripts coincides with Operation Arctic Endurance, a military exercise launched by Denmark in direct response to Trump's threats. The operation aims to demonstrate Copenhagen’s commitment to defending its territory and deter potential aggression. Eleven other NATO countries – including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – are also participating in the exercise, contributing troops to bolster the Danish presence. While the scale of the exercise remains relatively small with fewer than 300 combined troops, it sends a clear signal of allied solidarity.

Deterrence Strategy

According to sources speaking with Denmark’s DR broadcaster, Copenhagen views an armed conflict with the US as improbable but has stationed troops on Greenland as an insurance policy. The strategy involves maximizing international presence by inviting participation from multiple nations, thereby raising the potential cost and complexity for any hypothetical US attempt at military occupation. A defense source told DR that “the Americans would be forced to take a major hostile action if Donald Trump actually wanted to occupy Greenland militarily.”

Recent Escalations

Tensions were recently heightened when an American oil company transported drilling equipment onto Greenland, prompting Trump to post a digitally altered image of himself towering over the island on his Truth Social platform with the caption “Hello, Greenland!” This followed previous statements from Trump claiming that the US needed Greenland for national security purposes and access to its mineral resources.

The Danish conscripts will remain in Greenland for eleven-month stints as part of Operation Arctic Endurance, continuing to assert Copenhagen’s control over the territory. The situation remains monitored, with Denmark hoping diplomatic efforts will ultimately resolve the dispute.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.