Danish Soldiers Trained in Arctic Warfare

By Defence Command Denmark

The temperature is well below freezing, and snow is falling in thick flakes. In the twilight, a group of soldiers kneels over their rifles, attempting to reload while wearing thick winter gloves. It is a struggle, but in this biting cold, fingers do not last long without protection.

We are in Northern Sweden with a group of Danish soldiers participating in the 'Winter Warfare Course.' The course spans most of January and is a collaboration between the Danish and Swedish armies. It is conducted with the support of instructors from various nations for students who likewise represent several different countries. Among the participants are NCOs and officers from across the Danish Army.

Out in the snow, the course leader gives the order to prepare for departure. Quickly and efficiently, the students gather their gear, click into their skis, and glide expertly into the snowy landscape with long, controlled strides.

The surroundings are covered in such a thick blanket of snow that it is hard to tell they are in a training area. Suddenly, a row of targets pops up from the snow, and in a split second, all students have dropped into a prone firing position in the deep powder.

Loading magazines with gloves on. Photo: Ulrikke Holm Christensen, Danish Defence.

New Environments Require New Knowledge

Through various training modules and drills, students learn how to adapt tactical procedures, utilize their equipment, and lead their units safely and effectively in extreme cold and waist-deep snow.

"The soldiers learn to take their existing knowledge of warfare and apply it in new ways adapted to an Arctic climate," says Chief Sergeant and course leader, Denis.

He has helped run these courses since 2016 and spends a large part of every winter in Northern Sweden training soldiers in Arctic warfare, alongside his Swedish colleague Fredrik Flink and their team of skilled assistant instructors.

However, the frozen environment also demands entirely new skills. Therefore, the curriculum includes specialized shooting techniques on skis, the treatment and prevention of frostbite, and long-distance transport using skis, pulks (sleds), and heavy packs.

According to Denis, this knowledge is vital if one is to not only survive but also successfully complete missions in a climate significantly harsher than what soldiers experience during Danish winters.

"To a large extent, you can operate in these regions without putting your life at risk. But staying here for an extended period, completing a mission, and still being capable of tackling the next task immediately after—that requires specialized training. That is why it is crucial to have leaders who are well-versed in this climate," says Denis.

Ambush drill in deep snow. Photo: Ulrikke Holm Christensen, Danish Defence.

The Importance of Nordic Cooperation

Since 2013, the Danish Defence has participated in and organized winter training courses in cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces—a partnership that Denis describes as very strong.

"There is a mutual understanding, and our procedures are very similar. We share airspace, sea, and land borders," Denis says.

By strengthening the ability of Danish soldiers to operate in extreme cold, the Danish Defence simultaneously bolsters both the national and collective Nordic defense of the Arctic.