Fact File: Trump makes false claim about Greenland’s ‘two dogsled’ defence capacity

By Canadian Press on January 22, 2026.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed Denmark’s military presence in Greenland consists of “two dogsleds.” While Denmark does have a special dogsled unit that operates in remote areas of Greenland, it is one part of a larger Arctic presence. Denmark has increased its military capabilities in the Arctic in recent months amid Trump’s threat to take control of Greenland. Canada last year also announced plans to bolster its Arctic defences.

THE CLAIM

U.S. President Donald Trump’s insistence on owning Greenland dominated headlines this week as he claimed the Danish territory of Greenland as “part of North America” during a speech in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

While Trump urged NATO to stand aside and let the U.S. take control of Greenland, he said his country wouldn’t use force, instead calling for “immediate negotiations.”

Trump has frequently criticized Greenland’s defence capabilities, which he used to highlight U.S. concerns that Denmark isn’t doing enough to protect its territory from Russia and China.

A favourite comment in recent days is the claim Greenland has “two dogsleds” as protection.

“Do you know what their defence is? Two dogsleds. In the meantime you have Russian destroyers and submarines and China destroyers and submarines all over the place,” Trump told reporters on board Air Force One earlier this month.

Trump repeated the claim in a post to the Truth Social platform on Saturday, writing that in Greenland, “They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently.”

In both instances, Trump used the dogsled comments to underscore concerns about Denmark’s military capabilities in Greenland and make the case for a U.S. takeover.

THE FACTS

The Danish navy has a dogsled unit called the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, which it employs in remote areas of Greenland, but it is not the only defence force in the region.

The unit typically has around 100 dogs, enough for multiple sleds.

The Canadian Forces and the Canadian Rangers, a sub-branch of the Canadian Army Reserve who work in isolated and coastal regions, have trained with the Danish Sirius patrol in the past. In the North, Canadian soldiers use sleds inspired by traditional Inuit qamutiks as part of their patrols, but the sleds are pulled by snowmobiles, not dogs.

In addition to special forces like the sled dog unit, Denmark operates several patrol ships and aircraft near Greenland year-round. Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command provides surveillance and military defence of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Last year, Denmark said it would spend 14.6 billion kroner, the equivalent of about C$3.1 billion, on Arctic security in partnership with Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The agreement included three new ships to operate near Greenland, as well as long-range drones and satellites.

In a Jan. 14 press release, the Danish Ministry of Defence said it would increase its military presence in and around Greenland, “comprising aircraft, vessels and soldiers, including from NATO allies.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney did not directly answer a question Sunday about the possibility of Canada sending troops to Greenland; he said Greenland is protected through NATO, and Canada is working with international partners to increase Canada’s Arctic security.

Last spring, the government announced a commitment of $6 billion to build, in partnership with Australia, an over-the-horizon radar system to detect air and maritime threats over the Arctic. It also announced $420 million to increase Canada’s military presence in the Arctic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press