Denmark's Arctic chief downplays US threat, stresses focus on Russia

Referring to Denmark's defence plans, he added, "We work on those, but it's a normal thing for us to do. My task is to work up here for the defence of the kingdom together with NATO."

In response to US concerns, European nations dispatched small numbers of military personnel to Greenland this week in preparation for the Arctic Endurance NATO military exercise.

The Arctic Command has invited the US to participate in Arctic Endurance, which this year will test forces in winter conditions. "We had a meeting today with a lot of NATO partners, including the US, and invited them to participate in this exercise," Andersen said, adding that he did not yet know whether the US would also join.

Denmark did not invite the Americans to join a similar exercise in September.

Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, responsible for defence around Greenland and the Faroe Islands, conducts surveillance and search-and-rescue missions, utilising patrol vessels, aircraft, helicopters, and satellite technology. It also fields the Sirius dog-sled patrol for long-range Arctic operations.