Operation Arctic Endurance
Operation Arctic Endurance is a 2026 Danish-led military exercise and presence operation in Greenland in the Kingdom of Denmark in response to the Greenland crisis. Denmark said the deployment might stay in Greenland for one to two years, with the Danish Defence stating that the Operation would last throughout 2026.
In response to U.S. president Donald Trump's continuous threats of invading or annexing Greenland, a number of European NATO states began deploying military planning staff to the island, concentrated in the capital, Nuuk. Major-General Søren Andersen, commander of the Joint Arctic Command, said the exercise is focused on countering potential Russian activity, not defending against U.S. military threats. Analysts described the deployment as a tripwire force actually directed at the U.S. rather than Russia, that was intended to make a U.S. invasion politically costly.
By 19 January, Denmark had sent 200 soldiers to Greenland to reinforce the Joint Arctic Command permanent personnel, and later that day Denmark announced that a "substantial contribution" of its armed forces would be sent to Greenland. On 19 and 20 January more soldiers arrived together with Major General Peter Harling Boysen, the Chief of the Royal Danish Army, who said he is ready to defend Greenland. The Danish troops also brought along a contingency stock of live ammunition to Greenland in case of a "worst case scenario" of combat against invading US forces.
On 21 January, in a speech at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Donald Trump officially changed his position from possibly using military force to claim Greenland, to ruling out the use of military force. This is the same position as Trump has on his proposed annexation of Canada.
Background
Since early in his second term, US president Donald Trump has said that the United States should annex Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark. President Trump has expressed a desire for the US to purchase the territory, although Denmark and Greenland have said Greenland is not for sale. In response, Trump has refused to rule out the use of force to acquire the territory.Deployment
On 15 January 2026, in response to the threats, a number of European NATO states such as France, Germany, and Sweden sent military personnel to Greenland for joint military exercises to demonstrate readiness to defend the island. By 19 January, Denmark had sent 200 additional soldiers to Greenland. On that day, Denmark announced a "substantial" additional troop deployment to Greenland to arrive shortly. Later that day more combat soldiers together with the Chief of the Royal Danish Army, General Peter Boysen, started arriving in Greenland. General Boysen, who has extensive experience from international warzones and special operations, said he is ready to defend Greenland if invaded.Initially deployed were a small number of troops, about thirty personnel; however, the initial military planners, reconnaissance teams, were not intended to deter US action by themselves alone. They were to coordinate the arrival of larger land, sea, and air forces publicly pledged by France, and/or other European states: "As well as providing a show of political support, the European troops were said to be on a short scoping mission, according to one country involved. The aim was to establish what a more sustained ground deployment in Greenland could look like, partly to reassure the US that European NATO members were serious about Arctic security". The troops also act as a tripwire force, such that an attack against them would be considered an act of aggression against the European partners and reacted to accordingly.
By the morning of January 15, the multinational group had gathered at the headquarters of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk "to assess the conditions for a possible wider allied deployment". As of 18 January, over 100 troops were present in Nuuk and over 100 in Kangerlussuaq.
Denmark announced that a new Arctic special forces team that is part of the army's Jaeger Corps has been training in "the most demanding conditions" of Greenland since October 2025, and is able to operate anywhere in Greenland.
No troops were deployed to the Faroe Islands, Denmark's other autonomous territory.
Belgium
Belgium announced on 16 January that the country was sending one officer to participate in the operation.Denmark
Denmark had already up to 150 troops stationed in Greenland available to be used for the operation prior to its beginning. They were mostly under the command of the Joint Arctic Command and they have received allied troops upon their mobilization on the island. They are equipped with unspecified numbers of Lockheed C-130 Hercules.Danish Challenger 604 aircraft fly surveillance missions in the Arctic, and since 2021 one aircraft has been permanently stationed in Kangerlussuaq. On early 19 January 2026, it was reported by Danish Major General Søren Andersen that an additional 100 Danish soldiers had arrived in Nuuk, and similiar numbers of new soldiers were also deployed in Kangerlussuaq. The Danish broadcaster DR and Swedish TV learned that the Danish troops also brought a contingency stock of live ammunition, in case of an unlikely US invasion. DR reported that the Danish air defense frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes also joined the naval part of the operation.
Danish F-35 fighter jets will patrol Greenland from a base on Iceland.
Estonia
Estonia actively participates in the planning committee of the operation, and suggested possible mobilization of five to ten military personnel if requested by Denmark. Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that Estonian Defence Forces personnel will eventually go to Greenland.Finland
Finland announced they would be sending two liaison officers to Greenland. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said "Finland has experience operating in Arctic conditions, but Greenland is new territory. That’s why we’re sending two liaison officers first to find out what it’s like there, what the conditions are, and how logistics and other operations can be arranged."France
On 15 January 2026, up to 15 French military personnel landed in Greenland. They were drawn from the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade. President Emmanuel Macron said during his New Year's address to the French Armed Forces, that day, that an "initial team of French soldiers is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days by land, air and sea assets." According to Joint Arctic Command on 18 January, French special forces were beginning operations in Kangerlussuaq. The French frigate Bretagne also joined the operation.French Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport planes accompanied Danish F-35 fighter jets to Greenland, and will continue supporting their operations from Iceland.