Denmark’s parliament passed a defense bill permitting US access to Danish airbases, marking a significant step in NATO cooperation .
Copenhagen | June 12, 2025
In a significant shift in Nordic defense policy, the Danish Parliament has approved a landmark agreement granting U.S. forces access to military bases on Danish soil, including facilities in Greenland. The bill marks a deepening of military ties between the United States and Denmark and comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Arctic and Baltic regions.
The legislation — formally titled the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) — allows U.S. military personnel to operate out of selected Danish bases, pre-position equipment, and carry out joint training and operations with Danish forces. The bill passed with broad support in the Folketing, Denmark’s parliament, reflecting a growing political consensus on strengthening defense cooperation within the NATO alliance.
“This agreement underscores Denmark’s commitment to collective defense and to our strategic partnership with the United States,” said Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen during a press briefing following the vote. “It enhances our deterrence posture and sends a clear signal of unity to those who would threaten peace in our region.”
Scope of the Agreement
Under the new framework, the U.S. military will have access to multiple facilities across Denmark and Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark that holds increasing strategic value due to its Arctic location.
The bases include Aalborg Air Base, Karup Air Base, and Thule Air Base in Greenland — the latter already hosting a U.S. presence as part of its missile early-warning system. The new agreement expands that presence by facilitating rotational deployments, logistics support, and joint operations.
The agreement also provides legal clarity regarding the status of U.S. troops stationed in Denmark, including jurisdictional rules and logistics cooperation.
Geopolitical Context
The approval comes amid growing concerns about Russian military activity in the Arctic and the Baltic Sea, as well as broader security challenges following the war in Ukraine and increased Chinese interest in the polar region. Denmark has ramped up its defense spending in recent years and committed to meeting NATO’s 2% GDP target for defense by 2030.
“This deal aligns with NATO’s evolving security posture and the need for enhanced readiness in northern Europe,” said Jens Ringsmose, a Danish security analyst. “The Arctic is no longer a peaceful backwater — it’s becoming a key theater for great-power competition.”
U.S. Reaction
U.S. officials welcomed the decision, describing it as a vital step in improving military interoperability and preparedness in Europe’s north. In a statement, the Pentagon said the agreement would “strengthen deterrence, improve force mobility, and support NATO’s ability to respond to emerging threats.”
The U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Alan Leventhal, called the agreement “a milestone in the enduring alliance between our two countries,” noting that “greater access to critical locations enhances our collective ability to defend peace and stability.”
Domestic and Regional Reactions
While the bill received majority support, a small number of opposition lawmakers voiced concerns over sovereignty and the long-term implications of hosting foreign forces. Some civil society groups in Greenland have also called for greater consultation, arguing that U.S. military activity in the Arctic should not be expanded without deeper local engagement.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede acknowledged the concerns but emphasized that security cooperation would be pursued “in a manner that respects Greenland’s autonomy and environmental interests.”
What’s Next
Implementation of the agreement is expected to begin within the coming months, with initial U.S. deployments focusing on joint exercises and infrastructure assessments. Both countries have agreed to regular reviews of the arrangement and its operational impacts.
As Denmark becomes the latest European country to deepen bilateral military ties with Washington, analysts say the move reflects a wider trend among NATO allies to bolster regional security and prepare for a more uncertain global landscape.
