Denmark has decided to abandon its plans to construct new patrol and environmental vessels for the Baltic Sea, opting instead to focus on designing ships for operations around Greenland. Initially, in 2021, Danish lawmakers had approved the development of new navy vessels intended for patrolling and environmental clean-up in the Baltic Sea. However, the defense ministry announced on Wednesday that the project will now prioritize acquiring ships suited for tasks in Greenland.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized the need for a replacement for the aging Thetis-class fleet in Greenland, citing a significantly altered security landscape. This initiative has garnered support from a broad coalition of parties in parliament and is part of Denmark’s strategy to enhance its defense capabilities in the Arctic region. This shift follows a recent agreement to allocate 14.6 billion kroner ($2 billion) for new warships and drones.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions between Copenhagen and Washington, particularly after US President Donald Trump expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, for security purposes. The Danish defense ministry noted that the change in plans is feasible as neighboring countries increase their investments in Baltic Sea security, indicating that Denmark will instead contribute with other military assets such as frigates and aircraft in the area. Additionally, Danish lawmakers have agreed to procure new marine environmental vessels through the newly established crisis ministry.
