Denmark is significantly increasing its military presence in the Arctic. On Monday evening, combat troops landed in the metropolis of Nuuk, accompanied directly by Chief of the General Staff Peter Boysen.
An Atlantic Airways plane with Danish military personnel on board landed in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk on Monday evening. Danish television DR and public television TV2 reported on it, writes TASR.
- Danish soldiers arrived in Greenland on an Atlantic Airways plane.
- The commander of the Danish army, Boysen, personally accompanies the troops.
- The presence of soldiers is part of the Arctic Endurance exercise.
- At least 200 soldiers are now deployed in Greenland.
- Denmark proposed a NATO monitoring mission, the discussion is still ongoing.
DR informed about the beginning of the transfer of these combat units of the Danish army to Greenland already during the day, calling their deployment on the island a “significant contribution”. These units are accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff of the Danish Army, Peter Boysen.
A commanding presence
According to the media, it is unusual for a high-ranking army commander like Boysen to fly to Greenland. It is therefore perceived as a clear signal to the surrounding world.
Troops from Denmark and several European NATO members began arriving in Greenland last Wednesday and the announcement of an increased military presence. This deployment is part of Exercise Arctic Endurance.
Extent of exercise
Major General Søren Andersen, head of the Arctic Command and coordinator of the exercise, told Greenland’s KNR television on Saturday that at least 100 soldiers are stationed in Nuuk and another 100 are in Kangerlussuaq.
Andersen told Le Monde over the weekend that no end date had been set for the Denmark-led Arctic Endurance exercise in Greenland.
Enhanced presence
“We are looking at increasing our presence and training throughout the year,” Andersen said. “We will continue the mission for a year, maybe two, in cooperation with foreign troops. We are trying to determine the schedule for the deployment of troops in Greenland in 2026 and the following year, so it is a long-term mission,” Andersen added.
As reported by AFP, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, in an interview with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, suggested that a NATO monitoring mission be sent to Greenland. Rutte’s response to the initiative was rather evasive in a social media post. He said he and the Danish minister spoke about how important the Arctic – including Greenland – is to common security. He announced that the cooperation of allies on these important issues.
