Greenland should prepare for possible Pituffik expansion, expert says

Greenland should prepare for the possibility of a significant U.S. military expansion at Pituffik Space Base as Washington advances plans for a new missile-defense architecture, according to reporting from KNR.

Torben Ørting Jørgensen, a former NATO rear admiral and chair of the Danish security organisation Folk og Sikkerhed, told KNR that Pituffik could see upgrades—and possibly the deployment of offensive weapons—under a renewed American strategic focus on the Arctic.

Jørgensen said the United States is likely to request expanded access and new capabilities at the base as part of its “Golden Dome” project, a modern revival of Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. The emerging system aims to defend North America by intercepting advanced hypersonic missiles from space.

Although the 1951 U.S.–Denmark defense agreement grants the United States broad authority over military activities in Greenland, Jørgensen argued that both Nuuk and Copenhagen should closely monitor any proposed changes.

He noted that Pituffik’s radar and satellite-control functions make it one of the most strategically important U.S. assets in the Arctic. The base’s long runway, one of the few in the region capable of supporting F-35 fighter operations, adds to its relevance—especially given its proximity to Russia’s Kola Peninsula.

Jørgensen warned that the base is already considered Russia’s only significant potential target in Greenland. Any expansion, he said, would likely be accompanied by U.S. demands for stronger defenses, including air-defense missile systems to ensure the base cannot be disabled in a crisis.

He also referenced early U.S. military research papers suggesting the need to harden Pituffik against emerging threats. Additional infrastructure—such as improved hangars and runway facilities—would likely be required for expanded operations.

If the United States formally pursues an upgrade, the proposal would be presented to the Permanent Joint Committee, the trilateral governance body involving the U.S., Greenland and Denmark. Danish officials recently said discussions are underway to reconvene the committee in December.