Germany is set to deploy military personnel to Greenland as part of a wider European mission aimed at countering growing security threats in the Arctic region from Russia and China. The move comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and increased coordination among EU countries, Denmark and NATO partners.
Germany’s defence ministry said the deployment is part of a joint European reconnaissance mission to assess security needs in the Arctic. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Russia and China are increasingly using the region for military purposes, threatening freedom of transport, communication and trade. He added that NATO would not allow these actions to undermine the rules-based international order and stressed the importance of close coordination with allies, including the United States, under Danish leadership.
German personnel are among several European forces scheduled to arrive in Greenland in the coming days. A small German reconnaissance team is expected to travel first to Denmark before flying onward to Greenland with other European allies. The mission aims to explore options for strengthening security in response to perceived Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.
France has already begun deploying forces, with initial military teams on the ground and additional land, air and maritime assets planned. Other European countries, including Sweden, Norway, the UK, Finland and the Netherlands, have also announced deployments or participation in reconnaissance and joint exercises at Denmark’s request.
Denmark has confirmed it is increasing its military presence in and around Greenland, citing rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic. The Danish defence ministry said more aircraft, vessels and personnel from Denmark and NATO allies would be deployed in close cooperation.
The developments follow renewed international focus on Greenland’s strategic importance. While Denmark and EU partners have emphasised cooperation and collective security through NATO, the situation has also drawn attention from the United States, where Greenland’s location and resources are viewed as critical to Arctic security.
Overall, the coordinated European deployments underline Denmark’s efforts, supported by EU and NATO allies, to reinforce stability and security in the Arctic region.