Military personnel from multiple European nations have arrived in Greenland on Thursday for a brief two-day operation to enhance the region’s defensive capabilities.
According to reports, France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway are taking part in the military exercise. Officials state that the operation aims to show their ability to rapidly deploy military resources.
This move occurs while the Trump administration is seeking to take control of the Danish territory. Germany has dispatched a 13-member reconnaissance unit, France has contributed 15 mountain warfare specialists, while Sweden, Norway, and Britain have provided three, two, and one officer respectively, according to sources.
“Geopolitical tensions have extended to the Arctic region. Consequently, the Government of Greenland and the Danish Ministry of Defense have resolved to maintain enhanced military training operations in Greenland, working closely with partners,” the Danish Ministry of Defense stated on Wednesday.
“Starting today, we will have an increased military footprint—working in close coordination with NATO allies. The objective is to develop operational capabilities under the distinctive Arctic environment and to expand the alliance’s presence in the region, which serves both European and transatlantic security interests,” the ministry added.
“As component of the heightened presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic, the Danish Armed Forces are beginning today to deploy assets and units associated with the training activities. This will lead to a greater military presence in and around Greenland in the coming period, involving aircraft, ships, and troops, including those from NATO allies,” the Danish Ministry of Defense also noted.
The ministry indicated that the 2026 training activities “may involve protecting critical infrastructure, supporting local Greenlandic authorities including law enforcement, hosting allied forces, stationing fighter jets in and around Greenland, and carrying out naval missions.”
“Several officers from the Swedish Armed Forces are reaching Greenland today,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson posted on X Wednesday. “They join a contingent from multiple allied nations. Collectively, they will lay groundwork for future phases under the Danish-led Operation Arctic Endurance exercise. Sweden is deploying military personnel at Denmark’s request.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen informed Reuters on Thursday that “The U.S. ambition to seize Greenland remains unchanged.”
“This is undoubtedly a serious matter, which is why we persist in our efforts to avert this possibility from materializing,” the Prime Minister added.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt held a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Wednesday.