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Denmark plans Arctic military force
last update: Jul 17, 2009 08:55 AM
From a "BBC News" article: Now that the melting ice cap is opening up access to the region's resources, Denmark is planning to set up an Arctic military command and task force.
Thule, Greenland
The plan, for the period 2010-2014, was approved by Danish MP's and Denmark's activities will be focused on its vast ice-covered island Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The retreating sea ice has been fuelling rivalry between Russia, Denmark and other nations bordering on the Arctic in the last couple of months.
Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the US are staking sovereignty claims with the UNclaims to Arctic territory, based on geological and other data collected in the region.
Denmark says that increasing activity in the Arctic "will change the region's geostrategic significance and thus entail more tasks for the Danish Armed Forces". A joint-service Arctic Command will be set up and Denmark is considering expanding the military base at Thule in northern Greenland, which was a vital link in US defences during the Cold War.
The defence plan also speaks of using combat aircraft for "surveillance and upholding sovereignty in and around Greenland".
Read more:
BBC News, 16th July 2009
