The U.S. military is still in the early phases of developing what its long-term military footprint will look like in Greenland, but the department is looking to break ground on new facilities next year.

President Donald Trump has frequently highlighted the important role Greenland plays in American defense given its geography and proximity to the Arctic. The agreement, which he announced last month, was the culmination of more than a year of sporadic demands from the American president regarding the strategically located island.