During a press conference in Nuuk, Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen and Naalakkersuisoq Vivian Motzfeldt talk about two new initiatives in the field of defense in Greenland.
Firstly, the number of students at the Arctic Basic Education in Kangerlussuaq will be increased from 30 to 50.
- The training started with 22, was increased to 30 last year and now we have decided that it will be 50 from the summer, says Vivian Motzfeldt (S).
- I am very happy about that agreement. The training has shown that our young people in this country are willing to help take on the task. The vast majority have completed the training, and I am happy about that part of the agreement, says Vivian Motzfeldt.
Troels Lund Poulsen explains that there are also discussions about what offers can be given to young people who have completed Arctic Basic Education, in relation to their continued ability to be part of a contingency plan.
Contract on the way for Air Greenland
In addition, negotiations are also underway between the Ministry of Defence's Materiel and Procurement Agency and Air Greenland about leasing aircraft to better solve the surveillance task in the region.
Troels Lund Poulsen says at the press conference that the contract is expected to involve surveillance with two aircraft, and that it is part of the work with so-called dual-use, where Greenlandic companies are involved in the defense's task solving.
"We are very close to signing a contract with Air Greenland for the surveillance tasks that our Challenger capacity has otherwise taken care of," says Troels Lund Poulsen. He points out that this has been a request from the Greenlandic Government for a long time.
He also says that the measure is also due to the fact that there have been too many breakdowns in Challenger capacity, so that the aircraft has not been able to fly and perform its tasks.
