Greenland security deal puts NATO at the center of Arctic defence

Denmark says a new security agreement involving Denmark, Greenland and the United States will give NATO a much larger role in protecting the Arctic, rather than leaving responsibility primarily to Washington and Copenhagen. The agreement is expected to be formally signed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2026.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Arctic security would no longer be handled solely by Denmark or the United States, with NATO expected to play a central role.

The arrangement comes after months of diplomatic tension surrounding Greenland and Washington’s interest in expanding its security presence on the strategically important island.

Under the proposed arrangement, the United States is expected to expand its military presence beyond its existing Pituffik Space Base, including at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig in the east, according to people familiar with the agreement.

The precise terms have not yet been publicly released.

Denmark and Greenland have emphasized that the agreement recognizes Greenland’s sovereignty and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. Denmark’s government has described the deal as strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic while reinforcing cooperation with NATO allies.

The Arctic has become increasingly important to NATO because of its strategic location, military routes and changing security environment.

NATO says seven of the eight Arctic states are members of the alliance, and it has increased military activity in the region, including the Arctic Sentry operation launched in 2026.

The agreement therefore represents a significant development in the security arrangements surrounding Greenland, although important details including how it relates to the existing 1951 U.S.-Greenland defense agreement remain unclear until the full text is made public.