New political agreement on Arctic Capabilities for 1.5 billion DKK

The Danish Government (the Social Democratic Party) and Venstre (The Liberal Party), the Danish People’s Party, the Social Liberal Party, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Alliance have entered into a framework agreement on the strengthening of the Danish Defence capabilities in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. The agreement translates the 1.5 billion DKK from the 2019 Supplemental Agreement to the Danish Defence Agreement 2018-2023 into concrete actions.

The Parties agree that Denmark, the Faroe Islands and  Greenland have a special responsibility for defence and security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. The framework will significantly strengthen the Danish Defence’s capabilities to track and monitor the steadily increasing activities in the region. This will be done through investments in high-tech unmanned systems and capabilities. The efforts take place in dialogue and cooperation with the United States and other Arctic allies, while founded in NATO. Political support from the Faroe Islands and Greenland to the radars and construction work is of key importance. The Danish Ministry of Defence has a close dialogue with the Faroe Islands and Greenland and looks forward to their responses and a continued close cooperation. 

The Parties want the increased and strengthened capabilities in the Arctic and the North Atlantic to provide both military and civilian benefits. The framework agreement should therefore also strengthen the capabilities of the Danish Defence to support civil society through search and rescue operations, emergency operations, environmental surveillance, fisheries control, monitoring of the climate and research etc.

The increased presence should be done in a way that limits the carbon footprint in the vulnerable Artic environment. This will be done through inter alia the use of drones and satellites as well as energy efficient solutions in the implementation of the initiatives.

In cooperation with Naalakkersuisut (The Government of Greenland) a new basic military training will be established to strengthen Greenlandic citizens’ opportunity to take part in the defence of Greenland.

LINK: Agreement on Arctic Capabilities

Minister of Defence, Trine Bramsen, The Social Democratic Party, states:

We have seen an increase in foreign activities in the Artic and the North Atlantic. For this reason, we need better surveillance and presence in the region. Not to escalate conflicts. But because we need to take the threats seriously. This will take place in a close cooperation between Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. I am very pleased that we have entered a broad political agreement on strengthening efforts in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. I would like to thank the parties to the agreement for the strong cooperation.

Lars Christian Lilleholt, Venstre (The Liberal Party), states:

In Venstre we are pleased about the agreement, which strengthens the Defence’s capabilities in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, while also benefitting civil society. Denmark has a special responsibility for defence and security in the region and with the agreement we strengthen our presence and show that we take the demands and expectation of our NATO allies seriously. The agreement is one step towards a more robust defence with the required capabilities.

Søren Espersen, the Danish People’s Party, states:

In the Danish People’s Party we are very pleased that there will now be established a basic military training in Greenland, comparable to the service of conscripts. With this training the young Greenlandic people can take a responsibility for the security – even defence of Greenland.

Martin Lidegaard, the Social Liberal Party, states:

From the Social Liberal Party we have stressed that this agreement needs to provide a dual-use. Firstly, it sends a strong signal that the Kingdom takes responsibility for the defence of it’s territory. Secondly, all aspects of the agreement will benefit the civil preparedness and our capabilities to rescue people and nature, if accidents occur. Jointly it will focus on security and low tension in the Arctic – even with a clear green profile.

Niels Flemming-Hansen, the Conservative Party, states:

In the Conservative Party we are very satisfied with entering an agreement on Arctic capabilities. We especially stress that the agreement also benefits Danish businesses and that the good cooperation with Air Greenland on preparedness continues – and that there will be established a basic military training in Greenland. 

Henrik Dahl, the Liberal Alliance, states:

We are pleased with this agreement, which was almost a prerequisite in the sense that we have known the need for it for a while. Especially, I take positive note that the agreement provides the young people in Greenland with the possibility for good training. That is beneficial to Greenland. Beneficial to Denmark. And beneficial to the Danish Defence.

Jan Johansen, Social Democratic Party, states:

We have entered a broad agreement on strengthening our efforts in the Arctic. For the Social Democratic Party it has been important that the agreement does not merely have military value but also provides benefits for the civil society in terms of inter alia rescue capabilities and the environment.

Christoffer Aagaard Melson, Arctic spokesman, Venstre (The Liberal Party):

We have an obligation to know what takes place in our own territory, both in terms of defence and preparedness. With the agreement we take a big step to live up to that obligation. We are pleased that the process has taken place in close dialogue with, and involvement of, both the Faroe Islands and Greenland. We stand much stronger when we stand united in the Realm.

New capabilities and initiatives in million DKK: