Washington approved the sale of Hellfire II missiles to Denmark for $45 million, despite political statements about the strategic importance of Greenland.
While statements about the strategic importance of Greenland and the possibility of increasing American control over the island are being made in Washington, the U.S. simultaneously approves the sale of modern weaponry to Denmark – the formal sovereign of this territory, writes Defence Express.
The U.S. State Department has authorized the sale of a weapons package to Denmark worth approximately $45 million. This includes 100 AGM-114R Hellfire II guided missiles, as well as associated equipment: three stationary test missiles, six M299 launchers, two MHU-191/M transport trailers, three BRU-14 holders, logistical support, spare parts, technical documentation, and software.
The document notes that the agreement "will promote U.S. geopolitical interests and strengthen NATO security."
The Political Paradox Surrounding Greenland
The approval of the sale is indicative against the backdrop of political discussions surrounding Greenland, which is increasingly referred to in American political discourse as strategically necessary for the U.S. However, most such statements remain rhetorical and are not accompanied by formal decisions or changes in Washington's policy.
Denmark remains one of the key U.S. allies in Europe, so there are no grounds for blocking military-technical cooperation.
Why Denmark Needs Hellfire II Missiles
The AGM-114R Hellfire II is expected to be used with the MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters, which are in service with the Danish Navy. Given that the country's fleet has only six such helicopters, the purchase of around 100 missiles is considered quite logical.
The AGM-114R, known as Hellfire Romeo, is one of the most modern modifications of the Hellfire family. It has been in production since 2012, features semi-active laser guidance, and can hit targets at a range of up to 8 km. The missile is designed to engage armored vehicles, fortifications, and surface targets.
Hellfire missiles are actively used by NATO countries, as well as Ukraine. In particular, in 2024, the U.S. approved the sale of AGM-114R missiles to the Czech Republic along with APKWS II systems worth $138 million to equip AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
Tension Surrounding Greenland
As reported by UNIAN, Donald Trump stated that the U.S. "is going to do something about Greenland – whether they like it or not," because if the U.S. does not acquire Greenland, it will be seized by China or Russia.
"I would like to make a deal the easy way. If we don’t do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way," he threatened.
At the same time, leaders of five political parties in the Greenland parliament united in a front and gave a sharp response to Donald Trump's territorial claims, demanding that the U.S. leave the island alone.
