Conflict around possible American seizure of Greenland island only intensifies further. However, this doesn’t prevent issuing permits for selling Denmark weaponry, such as AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles and associated equipment for $45 million.
According to a published U.S. State Department permit document, Danes want to purchase up to one hundred missiles, three stationary test missiles, six M299 launchers, two MHU-191/M transport trailers, and three BRU-14 holders. This will also include logistics, support services, spare parts, technical documentation, and software.
The sale is stated to help advance American geopolitical interests and improve NATO security. This is very interesting considering the surrounding political situation around Greenland island, which supposedly needs to be surrendered for White House needs.
Worth noting here: so far most threats sound only verbally, without special practical changes in U.S. policy. Meanwhile, Denmark remains a long-time ally, so there is no need to refuse it weapons sales.
If they want missles for their aircraft there currently is no alternative. I’d rather they have the missles they need to shoot down US aircraft than any concern about the US having $50m which is a rounding error in their budget.
You think the US would let those planes take off?
It’s true that the US would likely win the air war (though both sides have similar equipment, the US has much more). Of course this also depends on if the rest of NATO backs Denmark. Then you are essentially discussing a fight between the world’s #1 and #2 militaries. It will be a tough fight if the NATO countries minus USA learn to coordinate without the USA at the helm.
But either way, Scandinavia is much better equipped to man and re-supply the ground war. In this way I think it would look a lot like Viet Nam.
The US controls the ocean. They don’t need to fight a ground war. Trump’s play is very clear: “Give it to us, because you can’t stop us taking it.” So it’s weird he’d sell weapons to Denmark. Makes it look like he’s bluffing. I wonder if he’ll now very publicly stop the sale. That’d be the right move, even if he is bluffing.