Military of Greenland
Encyclopedia
The government of Greenland does not currently have control of Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...

's military or foreign affairs
. The defense of Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...

 is the responsibility of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...

. However, following the November 2008 referendum
Greenlandic self-government referendum, 2008
A non-binding referendum on Greenland's autonomy was held on 25 November 2008. It was passed with 75% approval and a 72% turnout. The referendum was announced by Prime Minister Hans Enoksen on 2 January 2008. Enoksen also announced the launch of an information and discussion campaign on the issue...

 on increased autonomy, which attracted significant popular support (72% turnout, 75% vote in favour) the governments of Greenland and Denmark have agreed to a 30-point package that will begin to reverse these particulars.

Native military

Greenland has an armed coastguard that patrols the Greenlandic coast and carries out search and rescue operations. It is currently under Danish command, although staffed largely by Greenlanders.

Domestic Military Statistics
  • Military Branches: no regular military forces
  • Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 15,280 (2010 est.)
  • Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 10,765 females age 16-49: 11,399 (2010 est.)
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 488 female: 478 (2010 est.)
  • Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Changes from June 2009

The post-referendum governmental changes become effective in June 2009. Those that affect military provision include:
  • Greenland's government will be given significant autonomy in determining foreign affairs
  • Many aspects of foreign affairs policy will no longer be linked to Danish policy
  • Control of the militarised Greenlandic Coast Guard will be transferred to the Government of Greenland
  • The Greenlandic government will take control of policing, including the police motor launches currently trained to assist military in the Island Command Greenland.

Overseas military

Several American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and Danish military bases are located in Greenland, including the US Thule Air Base
Thule Air Base
Thule Air Base or Thule Air Base/Pituffik Airport , is the United States Air Force's northernmost base, located north of the Arctic Circle and from the North Pole on the northwest side of the island of Greenland. It is approximately east of the North Magnetic Pole.-Overview:Thule Air Base is the...

.

The Royal Danish Navy operates a dog sled
Dog sled
A dog sled is a sled pulled by one or more sled dogs used to travel over ice and through snow. Numerous types of sleds are used, depending on their function. They can be used for dog sled racing.-History:...

 patrol called Sirius-patruljen, based in Daneborg.
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