Copenhagen, Dec 25 - The Danish government announced today additional funds for the defense of Greenland after the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, indicated that Washington needed to take control of the territory.
According to the Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, the amount of funds for defense will amount to double digits in billions of crowns.
However, the head of the Danish military portfolio did not mention the exact amount, but, according to estimates of the local media, it will be between 12 and 15 billion crowns (between one million seven and two billion dollars).
With this money, Denmark will be able to buy two new ships and the same number of long-range drones, added Poulsen, quoted by the daily Ekstrablade.
In addition, it intends to increase the number of personnel of the Arctic Command in the capital of the island, Nuuk.
The kingdom will also upgrade one of Greenland's three main civilian airports so that it can receive F-35 supersonic fighter jets.
We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, and now we plan to strengthen our presence, Poulsen noted.
Trump said that American ownership and control of Greenland was absolutely necessary. In response to the American politician's words, Prime Minister Mute Egede stressed that the island is not for sale and will never be for sale. (Text and photo: PL)