Copenhagen - Saba:
Danish media said the government has proposed the purchase of two new ships to conduct inspection missions in the North Pole and increase dog sled patrols in order to strengthen its military presence in Greenland, as the US President-elect Donald Trump has his sights set on the island.
The Danish public broadcaster DR and TV2 on Saturday reported that the Danish government has also proposed upgrading Kangerlussuaq Airport, a former US military base in western Greenland, to accommodate F-35 fighter jets.
Denmark has already earmarked $400 million to deploy long-range drones in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
On Monday, Trump said that it was an "absolute necessity" for the United States to own Greenland, following his decision to appoint a new US ambassador to Denmark, former US ambassador to Sweden and businessman Ken Howery.
On the same day, Greenland Prime Minister Motti Egede responded to Trump's comments, saying that "Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale."
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Arctic territory belonging to Denmark, is seen by the president-elect as important to US security. While Denmark is responsible for Greenland's security and defense, it has limited military capabilities on the island.
These capabilities currently include four old ships for inspection purposes, a Challenger reconnaissance aircraft, and 12 dog sleds.