Denmark has confirmed that a 1952 military rule still remains in force and stipulates that Danish troops will open fire immediately in the event of a foreign invasion of its territory, including Greenland, without waiting for orders from the highest chain of command.
The news was reported by The Telegraph, citing the Danish Ministry of Defense, which emphasizes that the rule applies exclusively in the event of a military invasion and not to diplomatic incidents or ordinary military presence.
According to this principle, if foreign troops land on Danish territory, soldiers on the ground have a legal obligation to react immediately with force, without waiting for confirmation or additional instructions from central command. The doctrine is summed up clearly: “defend first, investigate later.”
Greenland in the center of strategic attention
The public recall of this rule comes in a sensitive geopolitical context, where Greenland has assumed particular strategic importance due to its position in the Arctic, natural resources and the growing interest of major powers, including the United States.
Although Denmark and the US are allies within NATO, Danish authorities clarify that the law does not make exceptions for allies if the scenario involves a full-scale military invasion without Copenhagen's consent.
Cold War Doctrine, Still Active
The rule dates back to the Cold War period, when the fear of a surprise attack made immediate response on the ground necessary.
The fact that it still remains in force shows that Denmark continues to consider territorial sovereignty as a non-negotiable line, despite changes in the global security architecture.
The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that this is an extreme defense mechanism, designed for equally extreme scenarios, and that Denmark's official policy remains cooperation and coordination with allies.
However, the message is clear: in the event of a military invasion, guns blaze.
