NATO’s Allied Reaction Force Maritime Component Command, led by Spain, deployed from Kiel, Germany, to the Baltic Sea on 14 February 2026 as part of exercise Steadfast Dart 26.
Danish F-35 fighter jets landed in Keflavik, Iceland on Friday to train alongside Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, marking Denmark’s first contribution to NATO’s Arctic Sentry activity, which began on 13 February.
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At the Munich Security Conference 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security and prosperity.
NATO announced that on 5 February 2026 nine Allied nations completed the year’s first Tactical Leadership Programme flying course at Albacete Air Base in Spain.
Denmark’s F-35 fighter aircraft have become the country’s first contribution to NATO’s Arctic Sentry activity, which begins today, Friday 13 February, building on previously agreed initiatives including Arctic Shield, Arctic Summer and Arctic Endurance.
Rheinmetall has secured an initial order worth around €200 million from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency under a 2025 framework agreement for 120mm tank ammunition, marking a significant contract in scope and value.
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby urged allies to build a “NATO 3.0” based on “partnership rather than dependency” as he represented the United States at a NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
Europe is split over its future relationship with the United States, as some governments weigh greater independence while others warn that distancing from Washington could weaken the continent’s security against Russia.
The Netherlands will extend by six months its deployment of unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drones in Romania, where they contribute to the defence of NATO’s eastern flank, the Ministry of Defence said.
Sweden will contribute JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft to the newly established NATO operation Arctic Sentry, aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic and the High North, the Swedish Ministry of Defence said.
Allied Command Operations (ACO), responsible for the planning and execution of all NATO exercises, activities and operations, began Arctic Sentry on 11 February.
NATO forces have launched Exercise Dynamic Front 26 as a practical test of collective defense, emphasizing the coordination of lethal and non-lethal effects across a distributed battlefield.
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