Large-Scale Exercise in Greenland with NATO Allies

By the Danish Defence Command

Due to increased focus on the security situation in the Arctic, the Danish Armed Forces are enhancing their military presence and level of activity in and around Greenland. This is carried out under the leadership of the Joint Arctic Command and in coordination with the Government of Greenland.

As part of this initiative, the Danish Armed Forces will conduct Exercise Arctic Light 2025 from 9 to 19 September. During the exercise, the Danish military will train alongside personnel from other NATO countries to strengthen their joint response capabilities against destabilising threats to Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and NATO in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

“Through Arctic Light, we strengthen Greenland’s overall emergency preparedness and train the Danish Armed Forces’ ability to address a broad spectrum of threats in cooperation with Greenlandic authorities and international partners,” says Major General Søren Andersen, Commander of the Joint Arctic Command.

Danish and NATO Forces Train in Arctic Conditions

During Arctic Light 2025, Danish forces will train alongside personnel from France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway. More than 550 soldiers are expected to take part.

As part of the exercise, the Danish Armed Forces will deploy the frigate Niels Juel, two EH-101 helicopters, two F-16 fighter jets, and contributions from all three branches of the armed forces, including special operations forces and the Danish Home Guard. Additionally, the French Navy ship FS Garonne, a multi-role tanker aircraft, and mountain infantry equipped with drones from France will participate. There will also be home guard contributions from Sweden and Norway, along with an observer team and staff contributions from Germany.

Together, these NATO allied forces will train to counter various forms of destabilising threats.

F-16 fighter jets patrolling over Greenland. Photo: The Danish Armed Forces

Focus on Operational Readiness

This year, Arctic Light 2025 has been designated a Short Notice Activity Planned Exercise (SNAPEX) due to the increased focus on operational readiness. In parallel, the staff exercise Opportune Jaguar will take place in Denmark, where the Danish Joint Headquarters (JHQ DNK) will train the military’s ability to identify and counter destabilising threats in the Arctic and initiate operational responses from headquarters in Denmark.

On Greenlandic territory, participants in Arctic Light 2025 will strengthen their ability to respond to threats through training such as boarding vessels, guarding critical infrastructure, and deploying ground drones in Arctic environments.

As in previous years, units from the Danish Armed Forces will also train their capability to support Greenlandic civil society with emergency preparedness and disaster response, including within the framework of the Danish Arctic Response Force. This involves training in search and rescue (SAR), marine environmental protection, and support to the civilian population in the event of natural disasters.

A key objective of the exercise is also to further develop Joint Arctic Command’s capacity to receive NATO and partner units, enabling them to take part in operational missions in the Arctic.

Danish Defence Increases Presence in the Arctic in 2025

Arctic Light 2025 is just one of several military activities taking place in and around Greenland, involving forces from Denmark and other NATO countries. For example, in August, the Danish Armed Forces conducted a PASSEX (Passage Exercise) with France near Qaqortoq and participated in the Canadian-led Operation Nanook Tuugaalik with the inspection vessel Lauge Koch, which also included French and German units.

Read more: August marked by increased activity in Greenland

Due to the evolving security situation, the Danish Armed Forces have, in 2025, increased their military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic. This includes expanded deployments of frigates, helicopters, aircraft, soldiers, and special operations forces.

This increased presence is being carried out in close coordination with the Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, and supports long-standing operational cooperation with local Greenlandic authorities and international partners. It also contributes to the new Arctic Basic Training Programme in Greenland.

Read more:

The Armed Forces increase its presence in the Arctic

Forsvaret vil være synligt til stede i Grønland i september 2025