European NATO members are increasing focus on Arctic defense, with prospective plans to boost military activities around Greenland, a Danish territory. The shift follows recent statements by U.S. officials expressing frustration with Europe’s handling of security in the region.
Vice President J.D. Vance has highlighted Europe’s perceived inadequate defense posture in Greenland as a key factor behind President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring the island. Trump has said the U.S. might pursue control of Greenland, citing its strategic value, a proposal considered unprecedented among NATO allies.
In response, European officials are discussing a possible NATO Arctic mission, tentatively labeled “Arctic Sentry.” Similar in concept to the alliance’s presence in the Baltics, the proposal has been discussed privately among German, British, French, and Belgian defense leaders. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken was the first to call publicly for establishing such a mission.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius referenced the potential mission on Jan. 13 during talks in Berlin with European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. He said planning would require a NATO framework and could not be completed within three months. Meanwhile, European nations plan to signal stronger cooperation with the U.S. on Arctic security.
The U.S. military maintains a presence in Greenland at Pituffik Space Base, where roughly 150 personnel support missile early-warning and space surveillance. Under a 1951 agreement with Denmark, U.S. forces can operate freely on the island so long as NATO exists. At its peak during the Cold War, the base hosted over 1,000 troops.
NATO leadership has yet to formally decide on launching a mission like Arctic Sentry. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, acknowledged that Arctic operations were recently consolidated under Joint Force Command Norfolk but said it was too soon to confirm a specific mission.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted on Jan. 13 that Arctic security has long been a concern, with new attention driven by increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region, including maritime operations that NATO officials interpret as targeting alliance capabilities. Grynkewich said recent activity included bathymetric surveys, not research, and could escalate quickly.
Rutte also cited Denmark’s defense investments—including maritime patrol aircraft, drones, and F-35 fighters—as evidence of both national and NATO regional commitments.
Any expanded NATO role in the Arctic may involve a combination of manned ships and unmanned aerial systems. A NATO official, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that adapting such technologies to Arctic conditions will pose significant challenges.
Denmark has disputed some U.S. claims. On Jan. 11, Trump stated that Greenland was “covered with Russian and Chinese ships.” Danish Member of European Parliament Stine Bosse disagreed, saying there were no such vessels in the area. She raised concerns about the impact of such rhetoric, stating that Greenlanders are anxious about the prospect of U.S. annexation, which has little popular support. A 2025 poll showed only 6% of Greenland residents favor a U.S. takeover.
Greenland’s officials emphasized their alignment with Denmark and against any unilateral changes to the island’s status. Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt stated, “Nothing about Greenland without Greenland.”
Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reaffirmed Greenland’s commitment to remaining part of Denmark and NATO. “We choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the EU,” he said alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday.
At the same Berlin meeting, Kallas said the situation marked a potential shift in alliance norms, while Pistorius added that the prospect of a NATO member forcibly acquiring another member’s territory would be unprecedented.
Though the 1951 U.S.-Danish military agreement remains active, Denmark maintains a standing order from that time authorizing its troops to defend Greenland without further directive if foreign forces attempt to seize it.
