Denmark is conducting a military drill involving hundreds of soldiers from various European NATO countries in Greenland, amid ongoing disputes concerning the Trump administration's wish for U.S. control over the large island located in the North Atlantic.
The Arctic Light 2025 drill includes over 550 personnel from Denmark and NATO partners such as France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway, as reported by the Danish armed forces.
The head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command showed caution regarding Russia as a "regional superpower" in the northern region, while emphasizing what he referred to as "a strong relationship with the US military."
On Monday, Danish troops conducted training on boarding vessels alongside special forces, while military observers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, and Germany were present.
Visitors from allied countries on board the Danish frigate Niels Juel witnessed Danish F-16 fighter jets passing by, along with live-fire drills.
The objective of the exercise is to enhance the operational preparedness of the military forces from both Denmark and Greenland, a strategically positioned island that functions as a semi-autonomous region under Copenhagen's administration.
The armed forces state that their members are undergoing training alongside partners to enhance "their collective ability to respond to disruptive threats affecting Greenland, the Danish Realm, and NATO in the North Atlantic and Arctic areas."
Stronger Danish military presence
Denmark is also seeking to enhance its military presence near Greenland and across the broader North Atlantic region.
Towards the end of January, the government revealed a deal worth approximately 14.6 billion kroner (€1.95 billion) with various parties, including the administrations of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, aimed at "enhancing surveillance and upholding sovereignty in the area."
The Danish armed forces did not reference ongoing disputes with Washington in their statement regarding the drills, and the head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command highlighted strong ties with the U.S. military.
"Over the past several decades, we have collaborated with the US in both training exercises and operational missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other regions," said Major General Søren Andersen on Monday.
Denmark is set to deploy its fighter jets to the United States' Pituffik Space Base located in northern Greenland, he further mentioned.
"So, we will arrive there, and I believe the pilots will have a cup of coffee with the base commander," Andersen mentioned.
U.S. President Donald Trump has frequently expressed his desire for control over Greenland and has not excluded the possibility of using military action to acquire the territory, statements that have worried European leaders.
Denmark and Greenland have stated that the island is not up for sale and have criticized reports about the US collecting intelligence on the island.
Last month, Denmark's foreign minister called the senior US diplomat in Copenhagen for discussions following a report from the country's main national broadcaster stating that at least three individuals linked to Trump were engaged in secret influence activities in Greenland.