Initially, this was a normal arms deal: A NATO ally purchased US-made weapons through the Foreign Military Sales program to improve readiness and interoperability.
However, the relevant political context makes this agreement special. The US administration approved the sale of this weapon while spending months publicly suggesting that the US should buy back Greenland.
The result is an unforeseen irony. Denmark is buying US missiles, partly to protect a territory that President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that the US needs to possess to ensure security for this country.
The arms sale is certified by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, including up to 100 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, related launch equipment, training and logistics support, with an estimated value of about 45 million USD.
AGM-114R Hellfire is a short-range precision guided missile. This missile is usually deployed on helicopters and some fixed-wing aircraft and is designed to achieve higher accuracy than covering a wide area.
The official reason for this deal to be approved is to strengthen the ability to meet the defense requirements of Denmark and NATO, while improving the ability to interact with US forces.
Greenland is of strategic importance, located on important air and sea routes in the Arctic. Therefore, the island is in a favorable position in the missile warning, space surveillance and defense area of the North Atlantic.
The US has operated military facilities in Greenland since World War II. Pituffik Space Station - the facility of the US Aerospace Forces in Greenland - plays a role in supporting missile warning, space awareness and satellite tracking.
The US Department of Defense describes Pituffik as an important component in the defense architecture of the US and its allies in the Arctic, especially as polar routes are becoming more accessible and strategically important.
From a legal and institutional perspective, nothing in this deal contradicts US obligations or NATO norms. Arms sales still take place in the context of diplomatic tensions and the executive branch has broad authority to approve.
However, strategically, this event highlights a deeper tension between alliance governance and political messages. NATO operates on the premise that territorial integrity between allies has been resolved and cannot be negotiated. Publicly considering the idea of repurchasing territory from allies, even verbally, also strains this premise.
Defense analysts note that US security targets in the Arctic do not claim sovereignty over Greenland. Existing agreements between the US and Denmark on Greenland have allowed radar upgrades, base expansion and missile defense cooperation.
Denmark's reaction to the US announcement of buying Greenland is moderate. Danish officials reiterated that Greenland is not for sale while continuing to invest in defense capabilities and cooperation. The purchase of missiles is perfectly consistent with that approach: Strengthening deterrence capabilities, meeting alliance commitments and avoiding escalating tensions.
