The Armed Forces increase its presence in the Arctic

By the Defence Command

"It has been politically decided between Greenland and Denmark to strengthen the military operations in the Arctic. The Armed Forces' core task is the enforcement of sovereignty and the protection of the entire Kingdom within the framework of national and collective defence. We are present on land, at sea, on the ice, and in the air in and around Greenland. And we are so in close cooperation with the Greenlandic authorities," says the Chief of Defence, General Michael W. Hyldgaard.

Throughout the summer, Greenlanders will notice that the Navy's frigate Niels Juel has moved its operations to southern Greenland. At the same time, the Air Force is sending two EH-101 helicopters to Nuuk, from where they will participate in a range of different training activities. Later in the month, additional land-based contributions will follow, deployed to Greenland to strengthen and train cooperation with the local authorities. This cooperation contributes to increasing the Armed Forces' operational capability in the Arctic and to supporting societal security for the Greenlandic population. Another task is to support the new Arctic Basic Training (ABU), which is currently educating its second class of Greenlandic students.

Naalakkersuisut has been involved in the Armed Forces' initiatives and has continuously provided input to the planning – among other things, to ensure local involvement and consideration for both the hunting season and breeding periods.

The frigate Niels Juel and the inspection vessel Lauge Koch meet in the waters off the Faroe Islands on Thursday. Photo: Simon Elbeck / The Danish Armed Forces