US plans new Greenland bases as Cold War ruins hint at past ambitions
Trump administration signs deal for military installations while Greenland grapples with legacy of abandoned nuclear sites.
What to know
- The US signed a deal this week with Denmark and Greenland for two new military bases on the island, part of Trump's strategic security agenda.
- Greenland hosts decades-old Cold War installations including Camp Century, a nuclear-powered base buried under ice, and the DEW Line radar chain—many now abandoned and posing environmental risks.
- Researchers warn that Camp Century's ice cover could melt by 2100, potentially exposing biological, chemical, and radioactive waste.
- Denmark and Greenland have consistently stated the territory is not for sale, despite Trump's strategic interest since taking office.
“Then in 2016, researchers found the portion of ice covering Camp Century could start to melt by the end of the century, leaving us at risk of its remaining biological, chemical and radioactive waste.”
ABC Australia · ABC Australia ↗
Donald Trump US PresidentDenmark Signatory to US-Greenland military dealGreenland Signatory to US military dealPaul Bierman Geologist
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US signs deal with Denmark and Greenland for two new military bases
The US, Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement at the UN General Assembly to establish two military bases on the island—at Narsarsuaq on the south coast and Mestersvig on the east coast. Trump has pursued military expansion in Greenland citing "security" purposes since the start of his second term.
“The US is planning to establish two military bases on Greenland in the south and on the east coast, a far cry from the 17 in the Cold War era.”
— ABC Australia · source -
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https://www. abc.net.au/news/2026-09-22/us- city-of-ice-abandoned-in-greenland/107180406?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
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background
Researchers warn Camp Century ice cover could melt by century's end — Scientific research revealed that the ice sheet covering Camp Century could begin melting by 2100, potentially exposing its remaining biological, chemical, and radioactive waste to the environment.
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background
DEW Line radar stations abandoned as technology becomes obsolete — The radar stations, including DYE-2, were decommissioned in October 1988 as modern technology superseded them. Visitors later found the interiors virtually unchanged, with beer still on bar counters and darts in boards.
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background
US builds nuclear reactor under ice for Project Iceworm — US forces installed a nuclear reactor under the ice to power the 200-person Camp Century. The project aimed to create a 4,000km tunnel system capable of deploying up to 600 nuclear missiles, with crisscrossing rail tracks designed to confuse Soviet tracking.
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background
US establishes Camp Century, nuclear-powered ice base in Greenland — The US constructed Camp Century 200 kilometres from Greenland's coast as part of a US-Denmark security plan. US Army engineers built trenches in snow covered with metal arches, encasing the base completely within the ice sheet.
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first by ABC Australia, 2d ago · also Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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- A Cold War 'city of ice' hints at US's ambitions in Greenland - ABC News & Headlines Australian Broadcasting Corporation · 2d ago