Big US military buildup coming to Greenland after new deal, Trump says

A new agreement could turn Greenland from the site of a single U.S. base into a broader hub for American military operations and Arctic defense. Green Berets assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group ski across the ice cap at Camp Raven, Greenland, on Aug. 18, 2026. The United States, Denmark and Greenland finalized an agreement Sept. 22, 2026, giving the U.S. military near unlimited access across Greenland. (Ashley Low/U.S. Army) A new agreement could turn Greenland from the site of a single U.S. base into a broader hub for American military operations and missile defense in the Arctic, with two additional sites planned and a path for more. As expected, the agreement signed Tuesday by the United States, Denmark and Greenland will allow the Pentagon to set up new defense areas at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig on the island’s remote eastern coast.

It also permits the U.S. to expand operations at Pituffik Space Base, its current military installation on the island. But the deal extends beyond just those locations. It explicitly authorizes U.S. vessels to travel undersea in Greenland’s territorial waters “without restriction except as mutually agreed upon.” It also creates a process for establishing additional defense areas, though the implementing of such plans must be approved by all parties. U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft