France to Deploy Land, Air and Sea Forces to Greenland Amid Rising US Pressure

France will significantly strengthen its military presence in Greenland in the coming days by deploying land, air, and sea assets. President Emmanuel Macron announced that an initial group of French troops is already on the ground, with additional forces set to arrive shortly.

The move comes as pressure intensifies from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his intention to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Earlier, Trump also warned that the United States could impose import taxes on countries opposing an expanded American presence in Greenland.

Macron emphasized that France and other European nations must remain present wherever their interests are under threat, while avoiding escalation and remaining firm on the principle of territorial sovereignty. He delivered these remarks at the Istres air base in southern France, which hosts nuclear-capable aircraft.

France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway previously announced that they would send troops to Greenland to participate in military exercises organized by Denmark. Danish officials confirmed that fundamental disagreements persist between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States regarding the island’s future.

Without naming Trump directly, Macron criticized what he described as a form of “new colonialism,” stressing that Europe has the capacity to reduce its dependence on the United States. He revealed that roughly two-thirds of Ukraine’s intelligence capabilities are currently being provided by France.

In an earlier address to his Cabinet, Macron warned that any U.S. seizure of Greenland would trigger “unprecedented” international consequences. On Thursday, he convened a defense council meeting to discuss both the situation in Iran and developments related to Greenland.

During his speech, the French president confirmed plans to increase defense spending by €36 billion between 2026 and 2030. He expressed confidence that the updated military planning law would be approved by Parliament by July 14, noting that France’s long-term rearmament strategy is already delivering tangible results.

At the same time, Macron acknowledged that France’s political crisis has delayed approval of key defense measures. The military planning law has been postponed several times, and an additional €6.7 billion in funding planned for 2026 has yet to receive parliamentary approval.

Macron stressed that the increase in military spending is based on France’s own assessment of security threats, rather than an effort to satisfy allies. This was widely seen as a veiled reference to NATO’s decision, strongly backed by the United States, to push defense spending targets toward 5 percent of GDP.

France’s defense priorities include rebuilding ammunition stockpiles, developing sovereign capabilities in air defense, early warning systems, space, and long-range strike capacities, as well as improving the armed forces’ ability to deploy rapidly.

The president also criticized France’s defense industry, warning that some contractors risk being pushed out of the market due to slow innovation and delayed deliveries. He called for faster production, greater volumes, and the adoption of lighter and more innovative systems.

Macron made clear that France is prepared to seek European alternatives in defense procurement if they prove faster or more efficient. As an example, he cited France’s recent agreement with Sweden’s Saab to acquire GlobalEye airborne surveillance aircraft.

He further acknowledged that France has fallen behind in drone development, attributing this gap to insufficient partnerships with Ukrainian firms, which allowed competitors to gain an advantage.

Despite his criticism, Macron highlighted France’s long-standing skepticism about excessive reliance on the United States and its consistent push for European strategic autonomy. He concluded that what once appeared to be a distinctly French position ha