Trump Wants to Build More U.S. Military Bases in Greenland. How Many Are There Now?

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Amelia Nierenberg and Jeffrey GettlemanJanuary 23, 2026 at 06:45 PM

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President Trump has expressed interest in establishing more U.S. military bases in Greenland, a territory of Denmark. Currently, the U.S. operates only one base, the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which employs 150 personnel for missile defense and space surveillance. This base is strategically important for early missile detection due to its proximity to the North Pole. Decades ago, the U.S. maintained over a dozen bases in Greenland, including weather stations and airstrips crucial during World War II and the Cold War. While some former bases have become commercial airstrips, others are now ruins. Denmark and Greenland have resisted giving up sovereignty over land for new U.S. bases.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Ikateq 30% Narsarsuaq 30% Cold War 40% Germans 40% Kangerlussuaq ×240% World War II 50% Peter Ernstved Rasmussen 50% Denmark ×370% Pituffik Space Base ×380% Donald Trump ×290% Greenland ×7100% United States ×7100%

Keywords

military bases 100% greenland 90% national security 70% missile defense 70% space surveillance 60% pituffik space base 60% denmark 50% united states 50% cold war 40% sovereignty 40%