The Danish Ministry of Defence intends to sign an agreement with Air Greenland to take over parts of the Danish Armed Forces' transport and surveillance missions in Greenland. The solution encompasses two specially equipped aircraft and forms part of Denmark's defence investment in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.
In a press release, the Danish Ministry of Defence states that the decision follows the defence agreement for the period 2024–2033, which established that the armed forces' Challenger aircraft are to be phased out and replaced through cooperation with an external supplier.
The two aircraft are to be equipped with additional fuel tanks as well as sensors and surveillance systems for, among other things, surveillance and search and rescue missions.
– With Air Greenland we have found a strong supplier that can take over the Armed Forces' tasks within transport and surveillance in Greenland. They have the best conditions for carrying out the mission, as they know the area and the unique climate of Greenland. By leasing two aircraft, availability increases, which is crucial for the execution of the mission, says Danish Minister of Defence Jeppe Bruus in the press release.
The Government of Greenland also welcomes the solution.
– It is an important task to ensure local benefit and local anchoring when the Defence strengthens its presence in Greenland. I am therefore pleased that there is broad consensus on strengthening transport and surveillance capacity in cooperation with a local operator, says Múte B. Egede, Naalakkersuisoq for Foreign Affairs, Business and Mineral Resources.
According to Arctic Command, the agreement means that the defence gains an additional civilian capacity for surveillance and search and rescue missions in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.
The agreement is subject to approval by the Danish Finance Committee and covers a total of 1.6 billion Danish kroner over the period 2028–2037.
This is not the first time a Nordic country has used civilian aviation operators as part of its total defence. Nordic Defence Sector reported in 2024 that the Norwegian Armed Forces signed a new agreement with SAS on strategic air transport, including evacuation and medical transport missions for civilians and military personnel in national and international operations.