Denmark to acquire 2 Boeing P-8A planes for Arctic maritime surveillance

COPENHAGEN: Denmark on Tuesday announced it was acquiring two Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft for maritime surveillance in the North Atlantic and in the strategic Arctic region around Greenland.

The Scandinavian country’s defence ministry noted in a statement that “Denmark has a special responsibility for managing security and defence in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.”

“The acquisition is a clear signal that we take our shared responsibilities in Nato seriously,” said Minister of Defence Jeppe Bruus.

Tensions have mounted around Greenland after President Donald Trump this year ramped up threats to annex the Danish autonomous territory to ensure US security.

Trump, in January, backed down from several weeks of threats, announcing that he had reached a “framework” agreement on Greenland with Nato’s secretary general, without giving details.

US vice-president JD Vance last year accused Denmark of having neglected the security of its giant Arctic territory.

In the ministry statement, Bruus stressed that Denmark had in recent years “strengthened the military presence” and that the new maritime patrol aircraft would “significantly” enhance the country’s ability “to enforce sovereignty and conduct surveillance”.

The Danish ministry, which did not disclose the price of the purchase, noted that the US-made planes were equipped with “anti-submarine capabilities and the ability to identify and engage hostile naval vessels”.