The United States is set to expand its military presence in Greenland by reopening a former Cold War-era base in the south and establishing a presence at another military outpost on the east coast, according to three people familiar with the proposed agreement.
The sites are Narsarsuaq, where the US previously operated the Bluie West One base, and Mestersvig, which is currently used by Denmark’s Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a special forces unit. The planned arrangement is expected to be signed by the US, Denmark and Greenland at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Two strategic sites identified
Narsarsuaq’s population has fallen to only a few dozen since the US closed its military base there in the 1950s. Mestersvig, meanwhile, remains a Danish military outpost used by the Sirius patrol, which helps maintain Denmark’s presence across the remote Arctic territory.
The exact terms of the agreement have not been made public. Sources told Reuters that some details would only be finalised when the agreement is signed.
Deal places focus on Arctic security
Denmark has said the arrangement will place Arctic security within the broader framework of NATO, rather than leaving responsibility solely with Washington and Copenhagen. The NATO alliance has welcomed the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen security and cooperation in the Arctic.
The agreement follows months of diplomatic tension after US President Donald Trump repeatedly called for greater US control over Greenland. His earlier statements about acquiring the Danish territory had raised concerns among Denmark and Greenland and created tensions within NATO.
During the Cold War, the US operated 17 military installations in Greenland with more than 10,000 personnel. Today, the Pituffik Space Base is the only US military base operating there, with about 150 American personnel.
The proposed agreement would therefore mark a significant expansion of the US military footprint in Greenland while keeping the territory under Danish sovereignty.