Nuuk (Greenland), Sep 16 (AP) Denmark is spearheading a military exercise involving hundreds of troops from various European NATO countries stationed in Greenland. This maneuver aligns with increasing tensions following the Trump administration's expressed interest in bringing the vast Arctic territory under U.S. jurisdiction.
The exercise, named Arctic Light 2025, is a continuation of similar maneuvers from previous years. It engages over 550 service members from Denmark and NATO allies such as France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway, as reported by the Danish military.
The head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, addressing concerns about Russia as a "regional superpower" in the Arctic, emphasized the strong relationship maintained with the U.S. military.
Earlier this week, Danish forces executed ship-boarding drills with elite units under the watchful eyes of military observers from the United States, Britain, Canada, Sweden, and Germany. These drills included soldiers rappelling from helicopters and ascending from speedboats in near-freezing temperatures.
Visiting allied representatives onboard the Danish frigate Niels Juel witnessed flybys by Danish F-16 fighter jets and live-fire exercises.
The purpose of the exercise is to enhance the operational readiness of Denmark's armed forces and Greenland—a strategically significant island that acts as a semiautonomous region of Denmark.
The military underscores the importance of these collaborative efforts in improving "joint response capabilities against destabilizing threats to Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and NATO in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions."
Strengthened Danish Military Presence. Denmark is taking steps to fortify its military presence around Greenland and throughout the North Atlantic. In late January, the Danish government announced a 14.6 billion-kroner ($2.3 billion) deal with partners including Greenland and the Faeroe Islands to bolster surveillance and sovereignty abilities in the region. These plans include the addition of three new Arctic naval ships, two long-distance surveillance drones, and satellite capabilities.
Within the Arctic Light exercise running from September 9 to Friday, Denmark is deploying one frigate, two helicopters, two F-16s, and personnel spanning all three branches of its armed forces, including special forces. France contributes a naval ship, a tanker plane, and mountain infantry using drones.
Good Relations with U.S. Military The Danish military has chosen not to address the ongoing tensions with Washington when announcing the exercise. The chief of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command highlighted the positive relationship with American forces.
“We have cooperated with the U.S. for years through exercises and operations in regions like Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Maj Gen Søren Andersen on Monday, while adding that this partnership continues as Denmark prepares to take its fighter jets to the U.S.'s Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland.
"We plan to land there, and I expect our pilots will enjoy a cup of coffee with the base commander," Andersen remarked.
Apprehension Regarding Russia in the Arctic The Arctic Light maneuvers this year are set against growing concerns about Russia in the region.
“Russia has been building its capabilities in the Arctic over the past two decades and stands as a regional superpower in the area,” Andersen pointed out.
Upon the conclusion of the Ukraine conflict, “it is widely believed that Russia will redirect its focus, rebuilding efforts in other global locations,” he stated.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken about acquiring jurisdiction over Greenland and has not ruled out the use of military force to assert control over the mineral-rich area.
Denmark and Greenland maintain that the island is not open for sale and have criticized reports of U.S. intelligence gathering in the area. In response, Denmark's foreign minister recently called a meeting with the leading U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen after reports emerged of individuals linked to Trump involved in covert operations in Greenland. (AP)
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