Arctic Shield: 400 Soldiers From 11 NATO Nations to Exercise Defending Greenland

The Danish-led exercise Arctic Shield will take place in Greenland from 7th to 18th of September.

In total, around 400 soldiers from 11 allied countries will exercise defending the island on land, at sea and in the air.

The participating countries are Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia and Poland. The latter three will participate with observers, and Germany will also provide logistical support.

The main activity will take place in southern Greenland, but also in the fjord near Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland.

The exercise will include, among other things, operations involving marines from France and the Netherlands, a drone unit from Belgium and special operation forces from Finland and Denmark.

Units from the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Home Guards will also play an important role during Arctic Shield. Canada will participate with Arctic specialists who will share their experiences with cold weather operations.

The Danish Defence Command and the Joint Arctic Command will support the activities with helicopters, vessels, medical expertise and logistical support.

The exercise is being conducted in close cooperation with the Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, and forms part of Nato's multi-domain activity Arctic Sentry.

In parallel with Arctic Shield, other training activities and operations will also be carried out in the Arctic as part of NATO's enhanced presence in the region. This includes air operations over Iceland, Greenland and Canada involving Danish, Canadian and American fighter jets.