The US, Denmark, and Greenland have signed a security deal allowing for expanded US military access and the establishment of a 'Golden Dome' defense system in Greenland.
Key facts
- •The agreement was signed on September 22, 2026, during the 81st UN General Assembly.
- •The deal amends the 1951 Defense Agreement and has no specified end date.
- •New US defense areas are planned for Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.
- •The agreement bars non-NATO states from establishing a military presence in Greenland.
- •US President Donald Trump stated the deal provides the US with permanent control over security needs on the territory.
On September 22, 2026, US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a trilateral security agreement in New York. The signing took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The deal amends the 1951 Defense Agreement on Greenland, granting the US expanded military access and the right to establish new defense areas without an expiration date.
Military Expansion and Defense Systems
The agreement authorizes the US to modernize and expand activities at the Pituffik Space Base and establish additional defense sites at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. A key component of the deal is the authorization to establish a 'Golden Dome' defense system, intended to serve as a shield against ballistic missile threats. The US is granted rights of free access and movement across Greenland by land, air, and sea, including flight and territorial water access.
Strategic Restrictions and Regional Security
The deal stipulates that no state outside of NATO may establish military installations or maintain a persistent presence in Greenland without mutual agreement. It also restricts investors from countries outside of NATO, NATO partners, and the EU from gaining significant influence in sensitive sectors. Furthermore, the parties committed to working together to counter espionage, while Denmark pledged to strengthen its own security posture in the Arctic.
Economic and Social Considerations
The agreement includes provisions to prioritize Greenlandic companies for contracts related to the establishment and maintenance of defense areas, provided they meet necessary capabilities. The document also mandates that US military rights must be exercised in a manner that respects Greenlandic society and traditional activities, such as hunting and fishing.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Anadolu Agency Europe, Jerusalem Post.
