Jan 17, 2026, 4:58 p.mJan 17, 2026, 4:58 p.m
Søren Andersen is commander of the Arctic Command.Image: keystone
The military exercise by European NATO states in Greenland will continue for several months. “What we are currently doing is planning a longer-lasting exercise, continuously throughout 2026 and perhaps into 2027,” said the head of the Arctic Command, Søren Andersen, to the German Press Agency in Nuuk.
Under the impression of the annexation plans repeatedly expressed by US President Donald Trump, members of the Bundeswehr, among others, arrived in Greenland on Friday. Germany and other nations are initially interested in an exploratory mission before the actual military exercise. “The Germans and, among others, Swedes and Norwegians are up here to find out what opportunities there are for joint training,” said Andersen.
Trump had repeatedly justified his plans to annex Greenland to the United States with security concerns about a threat from China and Russia in the region. The NATO allies are convinced that Greenland does not have to be taken over by the USA in order to protect the Arctic.
Soon decision on US participation
Andersen told the dpa that the USA, like all NATO nations, had been invited to “train up here”. The Arctic Command, which is part of the Danish armed forces, works daily with the American military. “One of the officers on my staff is part of the staff that is at Pituffik Space Base, the American base in northern Greenland,” Andersen said. “We work with the USA every day and nothing has changed.”
So far only French soldiers have been on site for the actual exercise. “The other countries are here to look at the possibilities. “I think we will have a decision within the next month as to whether the USA will look at the possibility of training with other NATO countries,” said Andersen. (sda/dpa)