Analysis: How Greenland makes Denmark indispensable to NATO’s Arctic strategy.

The contract signed by Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (FMI) with the Swedish company T-KARTOR to deliver new flight charts for the ice-free areas of Greenland might appear minor at first glance. Yet this technical decision reflects a much deeper strategic reality. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, is increasingly at the heart of global geopolitical rivalries. The island is becoming a focal point of the struggle for influence in the Arctic, where sovereignty enforcement, military posturing, and resource competition converge.
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The new flight charts now cover all ice-free regions of Greenland.
 (Picture source: Danish MoD)

For Copenhagen, securing accurate and updated aeronautical charts is not just about aviation safety. It is part of a broader effort to guarantee sovereignty over a vast and remote region that defines Denmark’s role as an Arctic power. With the Royal Danish Air Force relying on these maps to conduct patrols, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions, the ability to fly at lower altitudes and operate more effectively strengthens the country’s presence in a territory that is central to NATO’s northern flank.

Greenland’s importance extends well beyond Danish defense. The island sits at the crossroads of global strategic interests. As Arctic sea ice continues to retreat, new maritime routes are gradually opening. These potential shipping corridors could shorten transit between Asia, Europe, and North America, bypassing traditional chokepoints like the Suez and Panama canals. Even though these routes remain hazardous and commercially uncertain, the prospect alone has drawn the attention of major powers, making Greenland a natural point of interest in future Arctic shipping governance.

The United States views Greenland as indispensable to its defense posture. Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) remains a critical hub for missile warning systems and space surveillance. During his presidency, Donald Trump famously floated the idea of buying Greenland, a move that was met with rejection in both Nuuk and Copenhagen but underscored Washington’s enduring perception of the island’s value. Meanwhile, Russia has stepped up its Arctic military presence, reinforcing bases along its northern coast and conducting naval operations. China has expressed interest as well, focusing on Greenland’s mineral wealth and potential role in future trade routes, even if its projects have often faced political resistance or economic setbacks.

The island’s mineral resources, especially rare earth elements, place it at the center of global competition for critical raw materials. These resources are vital for the green energy transition and modern defense technologies. Western states see Greenland as an opportunity to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on China. At the same time, Greenland’s own government has placed strict limits on uranium mining and oil exploration, balancing environmental concerns with economic aspirations. For many Greenlanders, resource exploitation is not merely an economic question but a step toward greater autonomy, or even independence, from Denmark.

Since gaining self-rule in 2009, Greenland has expanded its authority over domestic affairs and has openly articulated its long-term ambition for independence. The government’s 2024-2033 Foreign, Defense, and Security Strategy makes clear its intent to engage internationally on its terms. Local leaders insist that decisions about the island’s resources and future will be made by Greenlanders themselves, rejecting external attempts to impose geopolitical agendas.

In this context, Denmark’s investment in flight charts acquires symbolic significance. It reflects a commitment to safeguard sovereignty in the Arctic, strengthen NATO’s northern defenses, and ensure that operations over Greenland remain safe and effective. At the same time, it underscores how even small technical steps are inseparable from the broader geopolitical currents shaping the Arctic.

As climate change accelerates and great power rivalry intensifies, Greenland’s role will only grow. What may seem like a routine defense procurement is, in fact, a reminder that the Arctic is no longer a peripheral theater but a central arena of global competition. For Denmark, ensuring control and operational capacity in Greenland is not only about today’s security needs but also about maintaining influence in a region where the balance of power is rapidly shifting.