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In a surprising revelation, Denmark had made preparations to sabotage Greenland’s airstrips by planting explosives, and had also transported blood supplies to the region earlier this year, due to fears of a potential invasion by the United States, according to a recent report by Danish public broadcaster DR.
This strategic move was reportedly part of a broader contingency plan. The plan involved the deployment of Danish troops to Greenland in January, equipped with explosives to potentially demolish runways. This drastic measure aimed to prevent U.S. aircraft from making landfall, as detailed by EuroNews.
The actions were documented in a Danish military operations order dated January 13, which was reviewed by DR, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.
Amid these tensions, the Greenlandic flag was seen flying in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 20, 2026, a stark reminder of the geopolitical strain over President Donald Trump’s assertions that U.S. control of Greenland was crucial for national security.
The preparations were made as tensions escalated over President Donald Trump’s statement that the U.S. should control Greenland for national security reasons.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen repeatedly rejected Trump’s demands to acquire the island.
DR said it based its report on 12 sources within the highest levels of the Danish government and military and sources among Denmark’s allies in France and Germany, the BBC said.
More Danish soldiers land at Nuuk airport in Greenland Jan. 19, 2026. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)
“When Trump says all the time that he wants to buy Greenland … we had to take all possible scenarios seriously,” an unnamed Danish military official told DR.
Denmark and several European allies also deployed troops to Greenland under what was a NATO exercise called Arctic Endurance.
In reality, according to the sources cited by DR, the deployment was operational.
Soldiers arrived equipped not only with standard military gear but also with the medical supplies and the explosives, the report said. France, Germany and Sweden also took part in the January deployment.
Despite the preparations, Danish authorities sought to avoid escalation with Washington.
Trump announced a vague “framework” agreement on Greenland with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Jan. 21, though details remain unclear.
President Donald Trump said in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 21 that the U.S. is the only nation that is able to control and secure Greenland. (Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
At the World Economic forum in Davos Trump said, “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”
On March 17, the commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), Gen. Gregory Guillot, said, “We are working with Denmark through the Department of State to expand some of the authorities that are in the 1951 treaty to give increased access to different bases across Greenland.
“But everything that we’re doing through NORTHCOM is through Greenland and through Denmark.”