Is the 2026 Greenland defense agreement in force?
The 2026 Greenland defense agreement is not in force on signature; it takes effect on the date of a diplomatic note informing the United States that Denmark and Greenland have completed their necessary parliamentary procedures.
The agreement was done at New York on September 22, 2026. Article XII makes the diplomatic note, not that date, the event that brings it into force. If the English, Danish, and Greenlandic versions are ambiguous or conflict, the English version prevails.
The earlier agreements used different formulations. The 1951 agreement required Danish parliamentary approval and took effect when notice of that approval was given to the United States. The 2004 agreement took effect when it was signed.
This guide does not report whether the diplomatic note specified in Article XII has been issued. Readers should confirm its issuance and date with an official source before treating the 2026 agreement as operative.
Sources for this answer
Article XII states that the 2026 agreement enters into force on the date of the specified diplomatic note.
This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of a diplomatic note informing the United States of the completion of necessary parliamentary procedures by the Kingdom of Denmark together with Greenland.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. XII.
Article XII records that the 2026 agreement was done at New York on September 22, 2026, in English, Danish, and Greenlandic, and that the English version prevails if the versions are ambiguous or conflict.
Done at New York on the 22nd day of September, 2026, in triplicate in the English, Danish, and Greenlandic languages. In the event of ambiguity or conflict between the versions, the English language version shall prevail.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. XII.
Article XIV(1) made the 1951 agreement subject to Danish parliamentary approval and provided that it came into force when notice of that approval was given to the United States.
This Agreement shall be subject to parliamentary approval in Denmark. It shall come into force on the day on which notice of such parliamentary approval is given to the Government of the United States of America.
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. XIV(1).
Article 4 states that the 2004 agreement entered into force on signature and describes its duration and amendment rule.
This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature, and shall remain in force for the duration of the Defense Agreement. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the Parties.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the Agreement of April 27, 1951, U.S.-Den., Aug. 6, 2004, T.I.A.S. No. 04-806, art. 4.
How do selected provisions of the 2026 Greenland agreement compare with the 1951 and 2004 texts?
Compared with the selected 1951 and 2004 text, the 2026 Greenland defense agreement has no end date, allows expansion at Pituffik Space Base and an additional defense area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, states the right of movement between defense areas without the earlier reference to rules issued by the Danish authority, adds undersea access for United States public vessels, and contains rules on non-NATO military presence, investment, construction near defense areas, and Greenlandic independence.
This table compares selected wording in the 1951 and 2004 texts only. It does not consolidate the Defense Arrangements or state the complete legal position immediately before the 2026 agreement. The 2026 agreement defines “‘Defense Arrangements’” as the 1951 agreement plus later amending and supplementing agreements and related non-binding arrangements set out in Annex 1. Other instruments in Annex 1, which is itself non-exhaustive, are outside this comparison.
| Provision | Selected provisions in the 1951 and 2004 texts | 2026 agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Article I tied the parties' measures in Greenland to their respective and joint responsibilities “in accordance with NATO plans”. | Article I refers to defense of the North Atlantic Treaty area, Greenland, and the American continent, while respecting Greenlandic society's interests and providing it benefits. |
| Duration and amendment | The 1951 agreement lasts for the duration of the North Atlantic Treaty, and modifications require mutual consent. On a touch screen, a tap shows all 2 sources in this group. The 2004 agreement runs for the duration of the 1951 agreement and may be amended by mutual agreement. | Article XI gives the 2026 agreement no end date and permits amendment only by mutual consent under Article XIII of the 1951 agreement. |
| Defense areas | Article II contemplated defense areas that the two governments might agree were necessary under NATO defense plans and that Denmark was unable to establish and operate singlehanded. In 2004, Thule Air Base was the only defense area, and Article II continued to govern new areas. Article 3(1)(c) also required consultation and information before significant changes to United States military operations or facilities. On a touch screen, a tap shows all 2 sources in this group. | Article IV allows modernization and expansion at Pituffik Space Base, an additional defense area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig on mutually agreed modalities and technical details, and additional defense areas under the process stated there. |
| Movement between defense areas | Article V(3) provided free access and movement between defense areas, but placed that right under “general rules mutually agreed upon and issued by the appropriate Danish authority in Greenland”. | Article VI states a right of free access and movement between defense areas without that sentence's qualifier. It separately requires the rights to be exercised in a manner that respects Greenlandic society and the Greenlandic way of life to the maximum extent possible. On a touch screen, a tap shows all 2 sources in this group. |
| Overflight and undersea access | Article V(3) allowed United States aircraft to fly over and land anywhere in Greenland, subject to mutually agreed restrictions. Article 3(1)(b) of the 2004 text required consultation and information for planned military aircraft landings outside airports in the exceptional case described there, to protect the environment and hunting areas. On a touch screen, a tap shows all 2 sources in this group. | Article VI retains aircraft overflight and landing and adds undersea access and movement in territorial waters for United States public vessels, subject to mutually agreed restrictions. |
| Non-NATO military presence | Article IV made defense areas available, so far as practicable, to vessels, aircraft, and armed forces of other NATO governments. | Article IX bars a non-NATO state from its own manned or unmanned military installations or a persistent military-force presence in Greenland unless the Parties agree otherwise. |
| Investment screening | — | Article X restricts specified positions in particularly sensitive sectors or activities for states and investors outside its NATO, NATO-partner, or European Union categories, subject to the stated exception. |
| Construction near defense areas | — | Article VII provides that territory near a defense area must not be used in a way that threatens its security. It lets the United States raise concerns about specified construction or changed use. The Parties then mutually determine what steps may be necessary. |
| Independence | — | Article XI requires Denmark and Greenland to ensure that an independent Greenland agrees to remain in NATO, including by applying for membership if necessary, and assumes Denmark's rights and obligations under the specified agreements and arrangements. |
An em dash means that this table does not summarize an earlier-text comparator for that row; it does not establish the absence of other applicable provisions.
Sources for this answer
Article III defines Defense Arrangements by reference to the 1951 agreement and the later instruments listed in Annex 1.
“Defense Arrangements” means the 1951 Defense Agreement, together with subsequent amending and supplementing agreements and related non-binding arrangements between the Parties, as set out in Annex 1.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. III.
Article I states the 1951 agreement's purpose and ties the parties' measures to NATO plans.
The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, in order to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic Treaty area by uniting their efforts for collective defense and for the preservation of peace and security and for the development of their collective capacity to resist armed attack, will each take such measures as are necessary or appropriate to carry out expeditiously their respective and joint responsibilities in Greenland, in accordance with NATO plans.
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. I.
Article I states the 2026 agreement's defense objectives and its direction concerning Greenlandic society.
This Agreement amending and supplementing the Defense Arrangements shall facilitate the ability of the Parties to take any measures necessary or appropriate to carry out expeditiously their respective and joint responsibilities in Greenland, including to defend the North Atlantic Treaty area, Greenland, and the American continent, while respecting the interests of and providing benefits for the Greenlandic society.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. I.
Article XIV(2) states that the 1951 agreement remains effective for the duration of the North Atlantic Treaty.
This Agreement, being in implementation of the North Atlantic Treaty, shall remain in effect for the duration of the North Atlantic Treaty.
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. XIV(2).
Article XIII(3) provides for review proposals and requires mutual consent for modifications to the 1951 agreement.
The two Governments agree to give sympathetic consideration to any representations which either may make after this Agreement has been in force a reasonable time, proposing a review of this Agreement to determine whether modifications in the light of experience or amended NATO plans are necessary or desirable. Any such modifications shall be by mutual consent.
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. XIII(3).
Article 4 states the 2004 agreement's entry-into-force, duration, and amendment rules.
This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature, and shall remain in force for the duration of the Defense Agreement. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the Parties.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the Agreement of April 27, 1951, U.S.-Den., Aug. 6, 2004, T.I.A.S. No. 04-806, art. 4.
Article XI states that the 2026 agreement has no end date and may be amended only by mutual consent under the 1951 agreement.
This Agreement does not have an end date and may only be amended by mutual consent in accordance with Article XIII of the 1951 Defense Agreement.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. XI.
Article II describes how the governments could agree to establish and operate defense areas under NATO defense plans.
In order that the Government of the United States of America as a party to the North Atlantic Treaty may assist the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark by establishing and/or operating such defense areas as the two Governments, on the basis of NATO defense plans, may from time to time agree to be necessary for the development of the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and which the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark is unable to establish and operate singlehanded, the two Governments in respect of the defense areas thus selected, agree to the following:
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. II.
Article 1 states that Thule Air Base was the only defense area and kept Article II applicable to new defense areas.
Thule Air Base is the only defense area in Greenland. The provisions of Article II of the Defense Agreement shall apply to the establishment of new defense areas.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the Agreement of April 27, 1951, U.S.-Den., Aug. 6, 2004, T.I.A.S. No. 04-806, art. 1.
Article IV permits the listed changes at Pituffik, Narsarsuaq, and Mestersvig and permits additional defense areas.
The Parties shall make best use of the procedures set out in the Defense Arrangements, including the 1951 Defense Agreement and the 2004 Igaliku Agreement, as amended and supplemented herein, to enable the following: i. The United States shall be allowed to modernize and expand its activities in Pituffik Space Base; ii. The United States shall be allowed to establish an additional Defense Area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig in accordance with modalities and technical details to be mutually agreed by the Parties; iii. The United States may establish additional defense areas in Greenland and strengthen its military operations or facilities.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. IV.
Article 3(1)(c) requires consultation and information before significant changes to United States military operations or facilities in Greenland.
Consistent with the Defense Agreement, as amended herein, and the Memorandum of Understanding of March 13, 1991, and without prejudice to other relevant agreements and arrangements between the Parties, the Government of the United States will consult with and inform the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, including the Home Rule Government of Greenland, prior to the implementation of any significant changes to United States military operations or facilities in Greenland.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the Agreement of April 27, 1951, U.S.-Den., Aug. 6, 2004, T.I.A.S. No. 04-806, art. 3(1)(c).
Article V(3) states the 1951 right of access and movement and subjects it to mutually agreed general rules issued by the Danish authority in Greenland.
In keeping with the provisions of Article VI of this Agreement, and in accordance with general rules mutually agreed upon and issued by the appropriate Danish authority in Greenland, the Government of the United States of America may enjoy, for its public vessels and aircraft and its armed forces and vehicles, the right of free access to and movement between the defense areas through Greenland, including territorial waters, by land, air and sea.
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. V(3).
Article VI states the United States right of free access to and movement between defense areas through Greenland.
With a view to ensuring a secure and effective operation of the Defense Areas, the United States of America shall enjoy, for its public vessels and aircraft and its armed forces and vehicles, the right of free access to and movement between the Defense Areas through Greenland, including the Territorial Waters, by land, air and sea.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. VI.
Article VI requires the access rights to be exercised with maximum possible respect for Greenlandic society and its way of life.
These rights must be exercised in a manner that respects the Greenlandic society and the Greenlandic way of life, including hunting, fishing, and other traditional, cultural, historical, and other future activities, to the maximum extent possible.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. VI.
Article V(3) permits United States aircraft to fly over and land in Greenland subject to mutually agreed restrictions.
United States aircraft may fly over and land in any territory in Greenland, including the territorial waters thereof, without restriction except as mutually agreed upon.
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. V(3).
Article VI permits United States aircraft overflight and landing and public-vessel undersea access and movement, subject to mutually agreed restrictions.
United States aircraft may fly over and land in any territory in Greenland, including the Territorial Waters, and United States public vessels may have undersea access to and movement within the Territorial Waters, without restriction except as mutually agreed upon by the Parties; United States public vessels shall be given such additional access to and movement within the Territorial Waters as isagreed to by the Parties at any given time to be required by the military situation for the defense of the North Atlantic Treaty area, Greenland, and the American continent, or for other purposes as may be agreed bythe Parties.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. VI.
Article 3(1)(b) requires consultation and information for exceptional planned military aircraft landings outside airports to protect the environment and hunting areas.
In the exceptional case of planned landings of military aircraft in Greenland outside airports, the Government of the United States consults with and informs the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, including the Home Rule Government of Greenland, in order to ensure due protection of the environment and hunting areas in Greenland.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the Agreement of April 27, 1951, U.S.-Den., Aug. 6, 2004, T.I.A.S. No. 04-806, art. 3(1)(b).
Article IV states that defense areas would, so far as practicable, be available to vessels, aircraft, and armed forces of other NATO governments.
In connection with activities for the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, the defense areas will, so far as practicable, be made available to vessels and aircraft belonging to other Governments parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and to the armed forces of such Governments.
See Agreement Concerning the Defense of Greenland, U.S.-Den., Apr. 27, 1951, 2 U.S.T. 1485, art. IV.
Article IX restricts installations and a persistent military-force presence by non-NATO states unless the Parties agree otherwise.
No state that is not a member of NATO shall be allowed to establish its own manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland nor shall they be allowed a persistent presence of military forces in Greenland, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. IX.
Article X restricts specified positions in sensitive sectors for the stated categories of states and investors, subject to its no-threat exception.
Given the threat to national security and public order posed by increased efforts by adversaries to expand influence and control in Greenland, the Parties agree that states or investors from a state that is not a member of NATO, a NATO partner, or an EU member state shall not be allowed to have (i) control, (ii) significant influence, or (iii) access to non-public information that may constitute a threat to national security or public order within Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities in the territory of Greenland (including the Territorial Waters), unless agreed between the Parties that the activities of such states or investors would not constitute a threat to national security or public order.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. X.
Article VII bars use of territory near a defense area in a way that threatens its security, calls for cooperation, permits specified United States concerns, and requires the Parties to determine responsive steps mutually.
The Parties agree that the territory in the vicinity of a Defense Area shall not be used in any manner that threatens the security of the Defense Area. In order to implement this requirement, the Parties intend to cooperate with respect to ensuring the security of the Defense Areas. The United States shall have the right to raise concerns regarding construction, or change of use in a manner that threatens a Defense Area, of any building, facility, or installation in the vicinity of the Defense Area. Upon such notification the Parties shall mutually determine what steps may be necessary to address any threat.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. VII.
Article XI requires Denmark and Greenland together to ensure that an independent Greenland agrees to remain in NATO, including by applying for membership if necessary, and affirmatively assumes Denmark's specified rights and obligations from independence.
In case Greenland exercises its right to self-determination to become independent, the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of Greenland shall together ensure that the independent Greenlandic state will (i) agree to remain in NATO, including by applying to become a member if necessary, and (ii) affirmatively assume, as from the date of independence, all of the rights and obligations of the Kingdom of Denmark specified in this Agreement, including any implementation agreements or arrangements between the Parties, as well as the Defense Arrangements.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. XI.
Can the United States set up new military bases in Greenland under the 2026 agreement?
Article IV of the 2026 Greenland defense agreement permits the United States to establish additional defense areas in Greenland and requires the Parties to decide implementation details by mutual agreement through consultations.
Article IV separately allows the United States to modernize and expand its activities at Pituffik Space Base. It also allows an additional defense area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig “in accordance with modalities and technical details to be mutually agreed by the Parties”.
For other additional defense areas, either Party may identify a need. That Party must propose the location, scope, size, activities, and mitigating measures, including measures that account for the named 1991 and 2004 environmental instruments. On a touch screen, a tap shows all 2 sources in this group. The Parties must convene immediately in the Permanent Committee to decide implementation details by mutual agreement. If the committee has not reached agreement within 90 days, the consultations escalate first to deputy-minister level and then to minister level. Article IV does not say what happens if consultations at minister level also end without agreement.
Article V addresses unmanned military installations outside defense areas. Denmark together with Greenland must review a request under accelerated governmental approval procedures. Article IV(iv) applies to their establishment, maintenance, and servicing. On a touch screen, a tap shows all 2 sources in this group. Article IV requires the United States to award contracts to commercial enterprises for goods and services related to the establishment, maintenance and servicing of defense areas to Greenlandic sources to the maximum extent possible, taking account of capability and feasibility.
Sources for this answer
Article IV permits the listed changes at Pituffik, Narsarsuaq, and Mestersvig and permits additional defense areas.
The Parties shall make best use of the procedures set out in the Defense Arrangements, including the 1951 Defense Agreement and the 2004 Igaliku Agreement, as amended and supplemented herein, to enable the following: i. The United States shall be allowed to modernize and expand its activities in Pituffik Space Base; ii. The United States shall be allowed to establish an additional Defense Area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig in accordance with modalities and technical details to be mutually agreed by the Parties; iii. The United States may establish additional defense areas in Greenland and strengthen its military operations or facilities.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. IV.
Article IV permits either Party to identify a need for a new defense area for the stated defense purposes.
Either Party may identify the need for a new Defense Area for the defense of the North Atlantic Treaty area, Greenland, and the American continent.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. IV.
Article IV requires the Party identifying a need for a new defense area to provide a proposal covering its location, scope, size, activities, and mitigating measures, including measures accounting for the named 1991 and 2004 instruments.
Such Party shall provide a proposal describing the location, scope, size, and types of activities of the proposed Defense Area as well as other modalities such as mitigating measures, including those necessary to take account of the 1991 Memorandum of Understanding and the 2004 Joint Declaration.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. IV(iii).
Article IV requires the Permanent Committee to decide implementation details by mutual agreement and provides escalation after 90 days without agreement.
The Parties shall immediately convene to engage in consultations through the Permanent Committee to decide implementation details based on mutual agreement. If no agreement is reached within 90 days at the Permanent Committee, consultations shall escalate to the deputy minister level, followed by the minister level; iv. The United States shall award all contracts to commercial enterprises for goods and services related to the establishment, maintenance and servicing, including, but not limited to, construction and dismantling projects, of Defense Areas in Greenland to Greenlandic sources to the maximum extent possible, taking into account the capabilities and feasibility of such sources to implement contracts.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. IV.
Article V requires accelerated governmental review of requests for unmanned military installations outside defense areas.
The Kingdom of Denmark together with Greenland shall review requests to establish unmanned military installations in Greenland outside of the Defense Areas under accelerated governmental approval procedures.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. V.
Article IV requires contracts to commercial enterprises for goods and services related to the establishment, maintenance and servicing of defense areas to go to Greenlandic sources to the maximum extent possible, subject to capability and feasibility.
The United States shall award all contracts to commercial enterprises for goods and services related to the establishment, maintenance and servicing, including, but not limited to, construction and dismantling projects, of Defense Areas in Greenland to Greenlandic sources to the maximum extent possible, taking into account the capabilities and feasibility of such sources to implement contracts.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. IV.
Article V applies Article IV(iv) to the establishment, maintenance, and servicing of unmanned military installations outside defense areas.
Article IV(iv.) of this Agreement shall apply to the establishment, maintenance, and servicing of such unmanned military installations.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. V.
Who is restricted from investing in Greenland under the 2026 agreement?
Article X of the 2026 Greenland defense agreement restricts states and investors from states outside the NATO-member, NATO-partner and European Union categories from holding control, significant influence, or access to non-public information that may threaten national security or public order within Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities in Greenland, subject to agreement by the Parties that the activities would not pose such a threat.
The three restricted positions are control, significant influence, and access to non-public information that may threaten national security or public order. The restriction applies within Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities in Greenland, including its territorial waters. It does not apply when the Parties agree that the activities would not threaten national security or public order.
Article III defines “‘Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities’” to include, but not be limited to, critical infrastructure and resource extraction. The list is therefore open-ended.
Greenland must ensure the Article X objective through its application of current or future investment-screening laws, in close cooperation with Danish authorities. Relevant Danish authorities must closely consult relevant United States authorities and other partners. Those authorities will determine the consultation's specific modalities. On a touch screen, a tap shows all 2 sources in this group.
Sources for this answer
Article X identifies the covered states and investors, the three restricted positions, and the no-threat exception.
Given the threat to national security and public order posed by increased efforts by adversaries to expand influence and control in Greenland, the Parties agree that states or investors from a state that is not a member of NATO, a NATO partner, or an EU member state shall not be allowed to have (i) control, (ii) significant influence, or (iii) access to non-public information that may constitute a threat to national security or public order within Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities in the territory of Greenland (including the Territorial Waters), unless agreed between the Parties that the activities of such states or investors would not constitute a threat to national security or public order.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. X.
Article III defines particularly sensitive sectors or activities as an open-ended category that includes critical infrastructure and resource extraction.
“Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities” means sectors or activities determined to be particularly sensitive, including but not limited to critical infrastructure and the extraction of resources.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. III.
Article X requires Greenland, in close cooperation with Danish authorities, to ensure the objective through its investment-screening laws.
The objective shall be ensured by Greenland in close cooperation with the authorities of the Kingdom of Denmark in its application of any of its current or future investment screening laws.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. X.
Article X requires close consultation by relevant Danish authorities with relevant United States authorities and other partners and leaves its specific modalities to those authorities.
Relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Denmark shall engage in close consultation with relevant United States authorities and other partners. The specific modalities for that close consultation shall be determined by the relevant authorities.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. X.
What happens to the defense agreement if Greenland becomes independent?
If Greenland becomes independent, Article XI of the 2026 Greenland defense agreement requires Denmark and Greenland together to ensure that the independent state agrees to remain in NATO, including by applying for membership if necessary, and affirmatively assumes Denmark's specified rights and obligations from the date of independence.
The assumption obligation covers Denmark's rights and obligations under the 2026 agreement, its implementation agreements or arrangements, and the Defense Arrangements.
Sources for this answer
Article XI requires Denmark and Greenland together to ensure that an independent Greenland agrees to remain in NATO, including by applying for membership if necessary, and affirmatively assumes Denmark's specified rights and obligations from independence.
In case Greenland exercises its right to self-determination to become independent, the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of Greenland shall together ensure that the independent Greenlandic state will (i) agree to remain in NATO, including by applying to become a member if necessary, and (ii) affirmatively assume, as from the date of independence, all of the rights and obligations of the Kingdom of Denmark specified in this Agreement, including any implementation agreements or arrangements between the Parties, as well as the Defense Arrangements.
See Agreement Amending and Supplementing the 1951 Defense Agreement, U.S.-Den.-Greenl., Sept. 22, 2026, art. XI.