Denmark leads military exercise in the Arctic, underscoring tensions between Copenhagen and Washington over Greenland
In the strategically important Arctic region, tensions are mounting as Denmark strengthens its military presence around Greenland and the Arctic Light 2025 exercise gets underway. The exercise, which involves troops from Denmark and several European NATO members, including France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway, aims to reinforce joint response capabilities against potential threats in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.
The exercise, which includes live-fire exercises, training with boarding ships, and military observers from the United States, Britain, Canada, Sweden, and Germany, is taking place against a backdrop of growing wariness toward Russia in the region. Russia, a regional superpower in the Arctic, has been building up in the region for the last 20 years, according to Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen, the chief of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command.
The current exercise is not the only point of contention between the nations. Last month, Denmark's foreign minister summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen for talks due to reports of covert influence operations in Greenland, allegedly carried out by people connected to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Danish foreign minister has rebuked the Trump administration for its criticism of Denmark and Greenland, and Denmark and Greenland have condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there, stating that the island is not for sale.
The $2.3-billion agreement between Denmark and the authorities of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, aimed at improving capabilities for surveillance and maintaining sovereignty in the region, has not been publicly disclosed. However, it is known that Denmark is investing more into Arctic security, with the Danish foreign minister mentioning this investment.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen highlighted a 'very good relationship with the U.S. military' in the Arctic region. This relationship was on display during the exercise, with guests from allied nations aboard the Danish frigate Niels Juel witnessing Danish F-16 fighter jets fly by. In a further show of cooperation, Denmark will be taking its fighter jets to the United States' Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland.
The Arctic Light exercise is a testament to the importance of the Arctic region in the geopolitical landscape, with nations jostling for influence and security in the strategically located territory of Greenland. As the exercise continues, it remains to be seen how the ongoing tensions will play out and what the future holds for the region.
