Germany Deploys Bundeswehr Troops to Greenland in Multinational Arctic Mission

Germany has sent 13 Bundeswehr soldiers to Greenland as part of a multinational mission focused on maritime surveillance and strategic military cooperation in the Arctic. The deployment began in mid-January 2026 and responds to an invitation from Denmark. The mission aims to explore Germany's possible military contributions to support Denmark's regional security efforts while deterring potential U.S. military actions concerning Greenland.

The German troops flew to Nuuk aboard an Airbus A400M and will participate until Saturday in joint exercises. This initiative underscores European solidarity with Denmark, which holds sovereignty over Greenland — a vast island of 2.166 million square kilometers with only 56,000 inhabitants but immense strategic importance due to its natural resources and ice-free maritime passages.

The mission is not officially under NATO but coordinated among the participating countries. France and Sweden are also contributing forces: France's contingent operates under 'Operation Arctic Endurance,' and Sweden is sending military officers at Denmark's request. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the joint military exercises organized by Denmark as strengthening cooperation in the Arctic region.

This deployment comes amid heightened tensions with the U.S., specifically following former President Donald Trump's expressed interest in acquiring Greenland for strategic and missile defense reasons. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that such U.S. actions could threaten NATO's cohesion. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the importance of showing solidarity with Denmark and maintaining regional security without directly provoking the U.S.

German political figures, including Green Party defense expert Sara Nanni and EU Parliament Defense Committee chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, have praised the deployment as a significant demonstration of European unity. While not officially sanctioned by NATO, the mission reflects growing concerns over Arctic security and the need for coordinated European presence in the region.