New Capability: Arctic Specialists
Former members of the Sirius Patrol have been recruited into a new highly mobile capability designed to supplement the existing sled patrols. The unit employs snowmobiles and fast boats and can be deployed by aircraft or air-dropped by parachute.
December 11, 2025 - 10:10
The soldiers in the new capability have received alpine and glacier climbing training to operate in high-mountain terrain and glacier areas. Photo: Danish Armed Forces
By Martin Finnedal / Danish Armed Forces
The Sirius Patrol now has a new complementary capability: the Arctic Specialists. The unit has been established as part of Sub-Agreement 1 on the Arctic and the North Atlantic under the Defence Agreement 2024–2033.
The Arctic Specialists – or ARK SPEC – are, like the Sirius Patrol, organised under the Sirius Squadron within the Danish Army Special Forces (Jægerkorpset). Unlike the Sirius Patrol, ARK SPEC does not use sled dogs but instead snowmobiles, fast motorboats and other mobile platforms. ARK SPEC and its equipment can also be deployed by air or air-dropped by parachute.
This is explained by Captain Andreas, Commander of the Sirius Squadron under the Danish Army Special Forces.
“The sled patrols carry out an outstanding task, but they are geographically tied to Northeast Greenland. They rely on the fjords being frozen to move around, and they cannot operate at high speed. The purpose of the Arctic Specialists is to deliver everything the sled patrols cannot. They must be highly mobile and able to carry out time-sensitive tasks — and they can be deployed anywhere in Greenland,” says Andreas.
The Arctic Specialists will use snowmobiles, fast motorboats and other mobile platforms. ARK SPEC and its equipment can also be deployed by air or air-dropped by parachute. Photo: Danish Armed Forces
Primary focus on search and rescue
The new capability is composed of former Sirius personnel who have undergone additional training. Among other qualifications, they have received alpine and glacier climbing training to operate in high-mountain terrain and glacier areas — skills not included in the standard training for Sirius Patrol leaders. One advantage of recruiting former Sirius members is the ability to build on the extensive experience they gained during their two-year patrol service. Another is that the new specialists will carry out many of the same tasks but at significantly higher tempo.
The primary mission is to support the Joint Arctic Command in search-and-rescue operations in terrain that is normally inaccessible. Another key task is reconnaissance — monitoring areas to identify persons or activities that should not be present. A third important task is recovery operations.
According to the Commander of the Sirius Squadron, ARK SPEC represents a new direction for the unit.
“The Sirius Patrol can be viewed as a training platform. Personnel only serve for two years at a time, which means you are truly at your best just as we are about to send you home. In reality, we ought to retain you and make use of the exceptional skills you have acquired. The idea behind this initiative is to use the Sirius Patrol as the training foundation for a capability we do not currently possess,” says Andreas.
The first specialists have already been recruited and are preparing to take on their initial assignments.