Denmark leads NATO exercise in Greenland as officials cite Russia concerns amid U.S. tensions

Denmark is leading a multinational military exercise in Greenland involving more than 550 service members from Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Norway as Copenhagen seeks to bolster operational readiness in a strategically important Arctic territory. The exercise, Arctic Light 2025, began Sept. 9 and is scheduled to conclude Friday.

Danish forces staged boarding operations with special forces while military observers from the United States, Britain, Canada, Sweden and Germany watched. Troops rappelled from helicopters and climbed aboard ships from speedboats in temperatures barely above freezing as Danish F-16 fighter jets performed flybys and live-fire drills took place.

The Danish military said the exercise aims to strengthen the armed forces' ability to respond jointly with allies to "destabilizing threats to Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and NATO in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions." Denmark has deployed the frigate Niels Juel, two helicopters, two F-16s and personnel from all three branches of its armed forces, including special forces. France is contributing a naval vessel, a tanker aircraft and mountain infantry equipped with drones.

Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen, chief of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, cited growing concern about Russian activity in the Arctic as a key factor behind the drills. "I think it's fair to say that Russia has built up in the Arctic for the last 20 years, and Russia is a regional superpower in the Arctic," Andersen said, adding that many defense officials expect Moscow to redeploy resources beyond Ukraine once that conflict ends.

Andersen also emphasized longstanding military ties with the United States. "We have worked together with the U.S. for decades, both in exercises and also operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and so on," he said, noting that Danish pilots participating in the exercise will land at the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland during the week.

The Arctic exercise unfolds against a backdrop of diplomatic friction between Denmark and the United States over U.S. interest in Greenland. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed interest in acquiring the island and did not rule out the use of force to secure it, remarks that prompted denials from Danish and Greenland authorities, who said the territory is not for sale. Danish officials also condemned reports that individuals with connections to Trump conducted covert influence operations on the island; Denmark's foreign minister summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen for talks after the reports.

Copenhagen has been moving to strengthen its military footprint and surveillance capabilities in the region. In late January, Denmark announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner ($2.3 billion) package, agreed with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, to improve surveillance and sovereignty operations. Planned investments include three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones and expanded satellite capacity.

Officials described Arctic Light 2025 as a routine, annual-style exercise meant to refine tactics and interoperability with allies rather than an exceptional show of force. Still, organizers said the drills are timed and shaped by broader security trends in the Arctic, where melting ice and new shipping routes have increased strategic interest.

Denmark's stepped-up presence in Greenland reflects both regional security concerns and a desire to reassure partners about the island's status. NATO allies participating in the exercise are expected to complete joint training events through the end of the week before units return to home bases.