NATO forces train together in southern Greenland and around Kangerlussuaq
Forces from the Danish Defence and units from a number of allied nations are now preparing for the upcoming exercise ARCTIC SHIELD 2026 which will take place in the southern part of Greenland and around Kangerlussuaq from the 7th to the 18th of September.
September 1, 2026 - 13:00
During exercise ARCTIC SHIELD 2026 around 400 soldiers, sailors and airmen from 10 NATO nations will will train in a broad variety of military activities under the harsh arctic conditions. Photo: Rebekka Gimm / Danish Armed Forces
By the Danish Defence
Exercise ARCTIC SHIELD is a multi-domain activity involving around 400 soldiers, sailors and airmen from 10 NATO nations in the area around the village of Narsarsuaq.
During the exercise the soldiers will train in a broad variety of military activities under the harsh arctic conditions.
ARCTIC SHIELD is a part of the overall NATO activity ARCTIC SENTRY focusing on strengthening NATO posture in the Arctic and High North.
Soldiers from the Nordic countries will be training jointly and cross-nationally and will be operating with colleagues from Belgium, France and Canada, while observer/liaison teams from Poland and Slovenia will be taking part in the exercise. Germany is participating with an observer team and logistical support.
Dutch marines are also an active part of ARCTIC SHIELD 2026, by they will be conducting their training and exercises in the fjord-system of Kangerlussuaq north of the Polar Circle.
ARCTIC SHIELD 2026 includes a variety of ground based military operations under arctic conditions including French infantry units, units from the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Home Guards, a drone unit fra Belgium and special operation forces from Finland and Denmark.
The Canadian part of ARCTIC SHIELD includes Arctic specialists who will share their experiences and knowledge of operating in arctic climate with their NATO allies.
Defence Command Denmark and Joint Arctic Command is supporting the activities on the ground with helicopters, ships, deployable medical support facilities and expertise and logistical support for the participating nations.
Alongside the activities under ARCTIC SHIELD 2026 there will be conducted other operations in the Arctic region under the enhanced NATO presence.
These activities include air-operations over Iceland, Greenland and Canada where Canadian, American and Danish fighter jets will be operating together.
Facts: Standard ARCTIC ENDURANCE med link til ARCTIC SENTRY.
Facts: Exercise Arctic Endurance
Exercise Arctic Endurance is conducted in close coordination with the Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut. It has been decided to continue and strengthen the effort throughout 2026 by increasing the Danish Defence military presence and exercise activity in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Arctic Endurance forms part of NATO's Arctic Sentry and is conducted in close cooperation with several NATO Allies.
There will be an increased military presence in and around Greenland in the coming period, including aircraft, ships and troops.
The exercise aims, among other things, to maintain the ability to operate in Arctic conditions and thereby strengthen the NATO Alliance's ability to operate in the Arctic, contributing to both European and transatlantic security.