Feb 14, 2026, 1:33 p.mFeb 14, 2026, 1:33 p.m
Britain will send its aircraft carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and far north this year. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced this during the Munich Security Conference after NATO launched the “Arctic Sentry” operation in response to the Greenland conflict.
Keir Starmer speaks at the Munich Security Conference.Image: keystone
The alliance will be led by the HMS Prince of Wales and will operate together with the USA, Canada and other NATO allies – as a strong sign of commitment to Euro-Atlantic security, said Starmer.
The increased NATO military presence in the Arctic is intended to improve surveillance of Greenland and deter the major powers Russia and China. The aim is to secure one of the most strategically important and at the same time most climatically challenging areas, said Commander-in-Chief Alexus G. Grynkewich.
Talks about Greenland more moderate
The operation was initiated to defuse the dispute over Greenland. In this case, US President Donald Trump temporarily wanted to force a sale of the huge island to his country by threatening punitive tariffs. He justified his actions by claiming that the territory belonging to Denmark would otherwise not be safe from Russia and China. The discussions are now taking place on a much more moderate level.
“Security in the Arctic is of great importance to all of us and we must do more,” said Starmer. He was pleased with the dialogue that should have existed from the beginning. (hkl/sda/dpa)