Trump’s Greenland threats cast shadow on Finland’s icebreaker deals
US designs on Greenland risk putting Finland in an uncomfortable position.
Questions are emerging as to whether Finnish-built icebreakers could double as warships, as Finland is set to supply the United States with up to 11 of these vessels, beginning in 2028.
That deal, initially hailed as an economic bright spot, now sits against the backdrop of Donald Trump‘s rhetoric around plans to seize Greenland.
In an interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, John Bolton, a former adviser to Trump, said the Greenland dispute is far from over and has merely subsided for the time being.
“As long as Trump is president, Greenland will remain an issue,” he told the paper.
“Any vessel can be adapted”
With the installation of deck guns in the US, the icebreakers could be used as warships.
Mikko Suominen, an assistant professor of marine and Arctic technology at Aalto University, however, noted that in practice almost any vessel can be adapted for military use.
The chair of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, Johannes Koskinen (SDP), meanwhile, told Yle that it comes as no surprise that the US could use Finnish-made icebreakers for military purposes.
“But this was not raised when the initial decisions on ordering the icebreakers were made. The outfitting of the vessels has been left to more detailed contract negotiations, as has the division of work between Finnish and American companies and shipyards,” Koskinen added.
The foreign ministry and defence ministry meanwhile, have emphasised icebreaker cooperation in terms of strengthening Nato allies’ Arctic capabilities and enhancing security in the region. They stress that the vessels to be delivered are not combat ships.
“From Finland’s perspective, even a limited dual-use potential is awkward in the current situation. But the icebreakers are not being sold or built for direct military use or for the seizure of Greenland,” retired lieutenant colonel Mika Kerttunen summed up.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: With cooperation under strain, Canada joins partners in defending the Arctic Council’s future, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Denmark to buy more F-35 missiles, boost winter readiness, Reuters
Finland: Greenland clash left a mark on EU-US relations says Finnish PM, Yle News
Greenland: Greenland PM declines Trump’s hospital ship, urges him to stop ‘random outbursts’ online, Reuters
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: The UK doubles number of troops in Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia claims first-ever North Pole aerial refuelling, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish military intelligence on the great power rivalry over Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: Rubio says technical talks with Denmark, Greenland officials over Arctic security have begun, The Associated Press
