From today, aircraft, vessels and soldiers will be deployed as part of the exercise activities, including contributions from NATO allies, leading to a heightened military presence in and around Greenland. The purpose is to support both European and transatlantic security by enhancing operational readiness in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
Exercise activities planned for 2026 may include guarding critical infrastructure, assisting local authorities such as the police, receiving allied forces, deploying fighter aircraft, and conducting naval operations in the region. These activities are intended to build experience and coordination under the unique conditions found in and around Greenland.
The Joint Arctic Command will keep Greenland’s population continuously informed and maintain close dialogue with Greenlandic authorities and key stakeholders. This communication aims to ensure transparency and local awareness throughout the exercise period.
The initiatives build on actions taken in the summer of 2025, when the Danish Armed Forces increased their presence with capabilities deployed at sea, on land and in the air, supported by allies including Germany, France, Sweden and Norway. Those efforts also included exercises focused on protecting Greenland’s critical infrastructure.
The Government of Greenland and the Danish Ministry of Defence continue to work closely to ensure local involvement and consideration of local conditions. Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivan Motzfeldt, said: “As part of the NATO alliance, it is a core priority for the Government of Greenland, that defence and security in and around Greenland are strengthened, and that this is achieved in close cooperation with our NATO allies.”
She added: “The Danish Ministry of Defence and the Government of Greenland, are working closely together to launch initiatives and cooperation among both our Arctic and European allies.” She also stated: “Once the exercises commence, the Greenlandic people will be kept continuously informed about the activities via Joint Arctic Command’s platforms.”
Denmark’s Minister for Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, said: “Security in the Arctic is of crucial importance to the Kingdom of Denmark and our Arctic allies, and it is therefore important that we, in close cooperation with allies, further strengthen our ability to operate in the region.” He added: “We did this in 2025, and as a natural extension of these efforts, we will continue and expand the cooperation in 2026.”
Poulsen further stated: “The Danish Armed Forces, together with a number of Arctic and European allies, will explore in the coming weeks how an increased presence and exercise activity in the Arctic can be implemented in practice.” These discussions are expected to shape the practical execution of the expanded activities in and around Greenland.
