Fürs Archiv: „Dänische Streitkräfte weiten Präsenz in der Arktis aus“

Vor dem Hintergrund der anhaltenden Ansprüche von US-Präsident Donald Trump auf eine Annexion Grönlands reagiert die Regierung Dänemarks nicht nur mit Gesprächen mit den USA. Das Verteidigungsministerium Dänemarks teilte am (heutigen) Mittwoch mit, das Königreich weite seine militärische Präsenz in der Arktis aus, vor allem für anstehende Übungen und in Kooperation mit den NATO-Verbündeten. Die USA werden dabei nicht erwähnt.

Fürs Archiv das Original der dänischen Mitteilung (in der englischsprachigen Fassung):

The Danish Armed Forces expand their presence and continue exercises in Greenland in close cooperation with allies

The geopolitical tensions have spread to the Arctic. The Government of Greenland, and the Danish Ministry of Defence have therefore decided to continue the Danish Armed Forces’ increased exercise activity in Greenland, in close cooperation with NATO allies. From today, there will be an expanded military presence in and around Greenland – in close cooperation with NATO allies. The purpose is to train the ability to operate under the unique Arctic conditions and to strengthen the alliance’s footprint in the Arctic, benefiting both European and transatlantic security.
As part of the increased presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic, the Danish Armed Forces are, from today, deploying capabilities and units related to the exercise activities. In the period ahead, this will result in an increased military presence in and around Greenland, comprising aircraft, vessels and soldiers, including from NATO allies.
The exercise activities in 2026 could include guarding critical infrastructure, providing assistance to local authorities in Greenland, including the police, receiving allied troops, deploying fighter aircraft in and around Greenland, and conducting naval operations.
Joint Arctic Command will keep citizens of Greenland continuously informed about the activities and engage in close dialogue with relevant Greenlandic authorities and key stakeholders.
Background for the initiatives
In the summer of 2025, the Danish Armed Forces strengthened their presence and exercise activity in and around Greenland with a number of initiatives and capabilities, including contributions from allies such as Germany, France, Sweden and Norway. The initiatives involved the deployment of capabilities at sea, on land, and in the air, as well as exercises related to protection of Greenland’s critical infrastructure.
The Government of Greenland, and the Danish Ministry of Defence continue to collaborate closely on the initiatives to ensure local involvement and insight into local conditions.
Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research Vivan Motzfeldt states: “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. 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. Once the exercises commence, the Greenlandic people will be kept continuously informed about the activities via Joint Arctic Command’s platforms.”
Danish Minister for Defence Troels Lund Poulsen states: “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. We did this in 2025, and as a natural extension of these efforts, we will continue and expand the cooperation in 2026. 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.”