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US plans military presence at two additional Greenland sites
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Signed agreement advances plans for two Greenland sites
The leaders of the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an Arctic security agreement in New York on September 22. Its published text provides for expanded US activity at Pituffik Space Base and a new defense area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, with technical details still to be agreed. This advances the previously reported site plans, but signing does not establish that facilities there are operating. Denmark says the agreement will enter into force after the necessary national parliamentary procedures.
Danish Prime Minister’s Office: Agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the United States · Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark Together with the Government of Greenland
Pending agreement would add US access at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig
The United States plans to re-establish a military presence at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and add one at Mestersvig on the east coast under a pending agreement with Denmark and Greenland, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with the matter. The three governments are expected to sign the agreement at 14:30 GMT on September 22, but its text is not public and sources said details remain unfinished until signing. Denmark says the framework would place Arctic security more broadly under NATO oversight. The two sites would supplement Pituffik Space Base, currently the only remaining US base in Greenland. The key development is the reported identification of the intended locations; no agreement or deployment had been completed when Reuters published.
Reuters: US to open two new military bases in Greenland, sources say · Denmark says NATO shares responsibility for Arctic security under Greenland deal