Anna Hartz
Greenland became one of the most sensitive security issues for Denmark after Donald Trump repeatedly said the United States needed the Arctic island.
Behind the scenes, Danish officials were preparing for a situation that once seemed almost impossible. According to a major Danish investigation, Danish soldiers sent to Greenland in January were prepared for the possibility of an American attack.
The soldiers brought explosives and blood
The soldiers arrived with explosives that could have been used to destroy runways at Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, reports DR. The aim was to prevent American military aircraft from landing troops if the US decided to take control of Greenland by force.
They also brought blood from Danish blood banks. It was intended for treating wounded soldiers if fighting broke out.
DR says the information comes from 12 senior sources in the Danish government, military and security services, as well as officials and intelligence sources in France and Germany. The sources had no concrete intelligence showing that the US had plans to attack Greenland. However, several feared in January that such an attack could happen.
Denmark had spent months seeking support from European allies. France, Germany and other Nordic countries were approached as Copenhagen tried to build political and military support for the defense of the Kingdom of Denmark.
US operation in Venezuela warned the Danes
The situation changed quickly in January 2026. According to eight DR sources, the US operation in Venezuela on January 3 made Danish officials take the possibility of military action against Greenland more seriously.
Danish, French, German, Norwegian and Swedish troops were then sent to Greenland. Danish fighter jets and a French naval vessel were also moved toward the North Atlantic.
The mission was publicly presented as a military exercise called Arctic Endurance. Danish defense sources told DR that it was much more serious than a normal exercise. Soldiers carried ammunition, while explosives and blood supplies were also transported.
The plan was intended to make any American takeover require a clear hostile action. Danish officials knew they could not realistically defeat the US military. The idea was instead to raise the cost of an attack and make the consequences harder to ignore.
The Danish soldiers were sent under a royal order requiring them to fight back in case of an attack. An operational order issued on January 13 described preparations to defend Greenland and allowed the mission to expand with more troops and military equipment.
Trump later said in Davos that he would not use military force against Greenland.
Now, with the announcement of a new Arctic security deal between US, Greenland and Denmark, it sparks hope of cooperation in the future.
Sources: DR
