Denmark has begun deploying troops, aircraft, and ships to Greenland, with NATO reinforcements expected to follow. The deployments come amid heightened U.S. interest in Greenland.
Denmark said the deployment is designed to train forces for operations in Arctic conditions
and to strengthen the alliance’s presence for European and transatlantic security.
Additional Danish military forces arrived on Greenland this evening, as European countries begin to reinforce their position on the island.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 15, 2026
“The purpose [of the increased troop numbers] is to train the ability to operate under the unique Arctic conditions and to strengthen the alliance’s footprint in the Arctic for the benefit of both European and transatlantic security,” noted a Danish Ministry of Defense statement.
“As part of the increased presence in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, the Danish Armed Forces are deploying capacities and units in connection with exercise activities from today, which will result in an increased military presence in and around Greenland of aircraft, ships and soldiers, including from NATO allies, in the coming period.”
Following Denmark’s announcement, France and Germany said they will send troops to Greenland. Sweden also said it will send a small contingent of unarmed personnel to take part in the exercises.
The development comes as officials from Greenland and Denmark met in Washington on Wednesday with senior White House officials to discuss the Greenland issue.
Following the meeting, Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the two sides “have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree, and therefore we will, however, continue to talk.”
A few hours before the talks began, Trump reiterated in a Truth Social post that the U.S. must take control of Greenland for “national security” reasons, arguing that any other alternative is simply “unacceptable.”
Trump said NATO “should be leading the way for us to get it,” claiming that the alliance “becomes far more formidable and effective” with Greenland under U.S. jurisdiction.
