Greenland plans to add 3 U.S. military bases, reportedly included in U.S. territory

 Direct Translation

Breaking News! Trump's Grand Strategy takes a break! Greenland plans to add 3 U.S. Military Bases, reportedly included in U.S. territory

Editor: Zhongkang / Source: World Journal / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0512/2382902.html / Image : An F-16 lands at Pituffik Space Base (DVIDS)

The BBC, citing multiple sources and officials, reports that amid the ongoing Iraq War, the US and Denmark have been secretly negotiating for months to expand the US troop presence in Greenland. The US has proposed three additional military bases in southern Greenland, which would be formally designated as US territory. While negotiations have made some progress, no formal agreement has been reached, and the final number of bases could still change.

The report indicates that the negotiations are being led by senior State Department official Michael Needham, with the two sides meeting at least five times since mid-January. In contrast, Jeff Landry, the Greenland envoy appointed by Trump and the governor of Louisiana, has been largely absent from the actual negotiations.

Officials interviewed by the BBC stated that these bases would be located in southern Greenland, aiming to monitor potential Russian and Chinese maritime activities in the North Atlantic. This area, located between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, is known as the GIUK Gap.

One of the new bases is likely to be located in Narsarsuaq, on the site of a former U.S. military base that once housed a small airfield. Analysts suggest other new bases may also be located in areas with existing infrastructure such as airports or ports, as upgrading existing sites is less costly than building entirely new facilities.

The report indicates that U.S. officials did not raise the possibility or method of forcibly seizing control of Greenland during the negotiations. Trump's repeated threats earlier this year to use force to take control of Greenland sparked transatlantic tensions.

The White House confirmed that high-level talks are underway with Greenland and Denmark but declined to comment on details. A White House official told the BBC that the government is very optimistic that the negotiations are moving in the right direction. Denmark has previously expressed its willingness to discuss the establishment of additional US military bases in Greenland, and the Danish Foreign Ministry has also confirmed that it is negotiating with the US. A spokesperson stated that communication with the U.S. continues through diplomatic channels, and no further details will be provided at this time.

The United States currently maintains one military base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base, located in northwestern Greenland. It monitors missiles for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) but is not configured for maritime surveillance. During the Cold War, the US had as many as 17 military facilities in Greenland.

The U.S. and Denmark signed a defense agreement in 1951, granting the US considerable leeway to expand its military operations in Greenland, subject to Danish government approval.