US sends fighter jets over Greenland as tensions simmer over Trump's demands

The US military has rehearsed rapidly deploying its jets to Greenland as Donald Trump continues to eye up the world's biggest island. American pilots and jets spent five-days exercising with their Danish counterparts despite tensions between the two nations over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

The exercise was held at the US' Pituffik Space Base in Greenland earlier this month. A press release from the American military said the training "highlights the critical role Greenland plays in the defence of North America and underscores the importance of enhanced Arctic operational readiness". US-based refuelling tankers and fighter jets, including fifth-generation F-35s, all headed north for the drills.

American officer, Lieutenant General Luke Ahmann, said: "This exercise demonstrated our ability to quickly and efficiently deploy forces to the Arctic, showcasing the adaptability necessary to operate in this unique and demanding environment,

"But more importantly, it highlighted the strength of our partnership with the Kingdom of Denmark.

"We deeply value their collaboration and the critical support they provide, particularly the Royal Danish Air Force's commitment to search and rescue capabilities in this region. Their partnership is essential to ensuring the safety and security of operations in the Arctic."

Denmark, a fellow NATO ally, is responsible for the defence and security of Greenland.

Copenhagen's defence ministry has not commented on the exercise but earlier this month announced a major boost to Arctic security.

Denmark plans to spend £3.2 billion on strengthening its defence posturing in the Arctic and north Atlantic, including two new additional Arctic ships and a new headquarters.

Mr Trump has made it clear he wants the US to take control of Greenland, citing it is needed for national security purposes and has even said using military force was not "off the table".

It has led to a straining of relations between America, Denmark and Greenland.

In August, the US said Denmark should "calm down" after Washington's top diplomat in Copenhagen was summoned over claims of American interference in Greenland.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen earlier this month said Copenhagen "will not be threatened or intimidated" into giving away Greenland, saying it supports the island "in determining its own future".

Greenland is rich in natural resources and offers a number of strategic advantages, especially as shipping through the Arctic region becomes easier due to warming temperatures.

Its prime minister previously accused the Trump administration of not being "respectful".

The US-Danish exercise was organised by the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).

The bi-national Canadian and American command detects and tracks aerial threats to North America.