The Chief of the Danish Army, General Peter Boysen, has stated that the Danish Armed Forces are capable of defending Greenland if the need arises.
In an interview with Danish television station TV 2, Boysen emphasized that the military regularly trains for realistic defense scenarios.
"We train to be able to defend Greenland. We can defend ourselves," he said.
Asked how he would act if he were to face an American soldier in a hostile situation, Boysen described this as "speculation" and refused to go into detail.
He emphasized that the Danish military operates on the basis of the royal constitutional order, which gives it the right and obligation to self-defense, but underlined that he does not want to speculate on such scenarios.
The Danish general also added that military exercises in Greenland could become more permanent, depending on the situation.
He said increased participation from allies was expected. On Monday, 58 Danish soldiers arrived in Kangerlussuaq, joining about 60 others sent earlier to prepare for the exercises.
Boysen stressed that he does not see US President Donald Trump's expressed interest in Greenland as a provocation.
"It is right that we carry out our duties within the NATO framework and at the national level, and that is why we go there to train," he declared.