RAF and Navy in talks to hitch Trump-blocking NATO forces in Greenland as relations bitter
European allies are hoping to spin it as them stepping up to the plate in defending against China and Russia, rather than as preparation for a US attack after Trump’s demands to seize the island
Danish soldiers during shooting practice at an undisclosed location in Greenland.(Image: HO/AFP via Getty Images)
Forces from the RAF and Navy could be dispatched to Greenland to reassure Donald Trump Europe can defend itself, it has emerged.
Sea and air reconnaissance units – including Boeing P8 Poseidon maritime aircraft, used by the RAF – could be deployed to the island, which the Orange Manbaby wants to annex.
Military delegations from eight Nato countries – including a military officer from the UK – flew to Greenland last week on a fact-finding mission to explore options as European allies attempt shore up security in the Arctic.
Norway, Germany and the UK are the only countries other than the US to have P8s, working closely on joint surveillance missions, including to monitor Vladimir Putin’s “shadow fleet” of sanctioned oil tankers as well as Russian submarines.
With discussions ongoing, UK surveillance units from the Royal Air Force and Navy could join a “tripwire” of troops stationed in Greenland to ease Trump’s fears that the territory could fall into the hands of China or Russia, the i Paper reported on Tuesday night.
It is hoped Trump can be persuaded to back down from his plan to seize Greenland as he believes the United States being given control of the territory is the only way to stop Russia and China claiming the island.
He this week ranted that a string of European countries would be slapped with tariffs until he secures the mineral-rich territory.
European allies are hoping to spin it as them stepping up to the plate in defending against China and Russia, rather than as preparation for a US attack.
It comes after Denmark signalled that last week’s mission was a precursor for a “more permanent military presence” on the island, with Nato countries participating on a rotating basis.
Nato officials told the outlet the move could show the White House that Europe is capable of defending itself from Russian and Chinese threats.
Danish troops have already arrived in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, with around 100 soldiers arriving at the island’s international airport in in Kangerlussuaq on Monday evening.
And talks are now taking place between Nato allies about how they can step-up and meet the security demands and cool tensions across the Atlantic.
No decisions have been made, but a possible UK involvement which has been floated includes the use of specialist aircraft for surveillance operations.
The P8 maritime aircraft – specialized fixed-wing planes designed for long-duration missions over water – are being discussed as a logical option due to the size and terrain of Greenland, as well as any expected threat originating from the island’s shores.
The plans are similar to forces Nato has deployed in Eastern Europe to counter any further aggression by Moscow, a small, multinational force to provide a clear military line between peace and war.
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