The defense has sent more people, more helicopters and other military hardware to the country this summer. KNR has been on the streets in Nuuk and asked people what they think about the armament.

There is more camouflage clothing and military hardware in Greenland than usual.

Last week, the frigate Niels Juel arrived along with two of the Danish Air Force’s Merlin helicopters, and on Sunday 100 Danish soldiers landed in Kangerlussuaq.

– The security situation requires that the Armed Forces train the ability to operate in and around Greenland, said Vivian Motzfeldt, when the Greenland Government announced that the Armed Forces will be more present than usual this month.

Although the Danish Armed Forces, according to the head of the Arctic Command, Søren Andersen, will not be walking around the streets armed and will behave “as we have always done”, the military activities are taking place while tensions in the world are escalating.

Both Vivian Motzfeldt (S) and the Danish Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, have repeatedly spoken about armaments in the Arctic. More and better hardware and gigantic investments are needed to increase security in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, they say.

Military armament was also discussed in connection with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit at the weekend.

– We live in a more troubled world; a more dangerous world. That’s why we need to be able to defend ourselves as a kingdom. That’s why we are significantly rearming everywhere, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told KNR at Nuuk Airport.

But what effect does it have on citizens when the Armed Forces suddenly become more visible?

KNR took to the streets of Nuuk to find out.

It was a matter of time

– At first I thought it was a bit strange, and also a bit worrying.

That’s what Camilla Mikkelsen says, whom KNR captures in Nuuk Center with her nine-month-old baby in a baby carrier.

– Since I’m on maternity leave, I don’t follow the media one hundred percent like I did before. But after my partner told me that it’s just exercises they (the Armed Forces, ed.) are doing, I feel a little calmer, she says.

She says she has noticed the increased military presence in the Nuuk cityscape. She watched the “helicopter show” in Nuuk last Thursday.

A performance that the Armed Forces performed again in Sisimiut on Tuesday this week.

Does it make you feel safer that there are more soldiers, helicopters and military present in the city?

Does it make you feel safer that there are more soldiers, helicopters and military present in the city?

– Not in my opinion, Camilla Mikkelsen answers and continues:

– In some ways it’s a bit unsettling. But on the other hand, I also think it feels a bit safe.

– It depends a bit on the mood and what stories are circulating in the media at the moment, she says.

How would you feel if the military presence became a permanent thing in this country?

How would you feel if the military presence became a permanent thing in this country?

– We have also become accustomed to a military presence in Denmark, replies Camilla Mikkelsen.

–  In some way it was just a matter of time before it came to Greenland. Also because there is so much talk about geopolitics.

– The Sirius Patrol is not enough

However, not everyone has noticed the presence of the Armed Forces.

For example, Karl Davidsen, whom KNR also captures in Nuuk.

However, he thinks it is time to arm Greenland.

– Denmark has neglected that area. But now other countries are also coming and offering help. For example, France. And that’s fine – it doesn’t bother me, he says.

Karl Davidsen does not know whether the help is sufficient.

– It’s a huge country, he says and adds:

– It’s almost like I want to say: the more, the better. The Sirius Patrol is not enough.

Here is the armament of the defense

Special operations forces winter training and exercises related to critical infrastructure. Deployment of two helicopters (EH-101) to provide support for operational tasks. Deployment of a frigate to strengthen maritime task solving. Land guarding of critical infrastructure with the involvement of students from the Arctic Basic Training. Deployment of F-16 to Kangerlussuaq and patrolling on the west coast.

Source: Government

Source: Government

 

Jens Steenholdt Sørensen, who lives in Kangerlussuaq, doesn’t think much about the fact that the Armed Forces have sent more people and more equipment into the country in the past week.

– I live in Kangerlussuaq and I’m used to being surrounded by the military, he says.

How would you feel if the increased presence became permanent?

How would you feel if the increased presence became permanent?

– That would be a good thing. Yes, answers Jens Steenholdt Sørensen.

Will we become a military target?

Pauli Thomsen, who works daily at Naviair in Nuuk, has noticed the military presence.

– You can clearly see that just by walking around, he says.

However, he hasn’t thought about whether it makes him safer that they are here.

– I just noticed that they are here for political reasons.

Bent Mørch from Ilulissat, who was eventually caught by KNR, expressed his concern about the armament:

– It doesn’t give me restless nights, but it gives me thoughts, he says.

He has noticed that more military personnel have arrived in the country.

– We’ve never had a war up here. And now suddenly there are so many soldiers and warships and helicopters. It makes you think a little extra.

What would you think if this armament became permanent?

What would you think if this armament became permanent?

– It gives me concerns about my own, but also everyone else’s, everyday life, he replies.

– We are such a peaceful people. If it becomes permanent, will we become a target? The US already has bases up here, and now more soldiers are coming. Do Russia or China see Greenland as a target?