Denmark to boost Arctic defence by $4.26 billion, buy 16 new F-35s

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Denmark will invest 27.4 billion crowns ($4.26 billion) to boost its military presence in the Arctic and plans to buy 16 new F-35 aircraft, it said on Friday, seeking to fend off U.S. criticism over Greenland's defence capabilities. The 16 F-35s, worth another 29 billion crowns, would be in addition to Denmark's original commitment to acquire 27 of the U.S.-made fighter jets as the Nordic country continues to ramp up its national defence, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told reporters. "These are investments that are necessary in difficult times, when, unfortunately, war has once again broken out on European soil," Poulsen told reporters.