It is reported that Germany will take part in the mission together with other European countries.
“The purpose of the mission is to study the conditions for a possible military contribution to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region, for example, in the field of maritime surveillance,” the German Defense Ministry informed.
The German military departs for Nuuk (Greenland) on the morning of January 15 on an Airbus A400M transport aircraft.
At Denmark's request, Sweden sent an unspecified number of troops to Greenland on January 14, its Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.
According to him, the Swedish officers will be part of a group of military personnel from other allied countries who will jointly prepare for the upcoming exercises called Operation Arctic Endurance.
Några officerare från den svenska Försvarsmakten anländer idag till Grönland. De ingår i en grupp från flera allierade länder. Tillsammans ska de förbereda kommande moment inom ramen för den danska övningen Operation Arctic Endurance. Det är på förfrågan från Danmark som Sverige…
— Ulf Kristersson (@SwedishPM) January 14, 2026
Norway (two) and France also announced sending military personnel to Greenland, Deutsche Welle reported.
Earlier, on January 14, the media wrote that Denmark sent military equipment and an advance detachment of the army to the territory controlled by Greenland to prepare for the deployment of larger forces.
Context
The head of the White House, Donald Trump, said in December 2024 that control over the island of Greenland is required by American national interests, and during 2025 he repeatedly repeated that the United States must gain control over Greenland (an autonomous territory of Denmark), otherwise it will allegedly be captured by China and the Russian Federation.
Trump said the US could use military force to take over Greenland.
The media wrote on January 8, 2026 that Washington is ready to offer up to $100 thousand to each resident Danish island. As The Economist reported, the Trump administration is working on an agreement to present to Greenland. According to the publication, the White House may offer Greenland a so-called agreement of free association (COFA). Based on such a document, the United States has already extended its influence to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau in the Pacific Ocean.
On January 12, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said that a potential military annexation of Greenland by America could be the end for NATO. Two bills have already been registered in the US Congress that would prohibit the US armed forces from occupying or annexing NATO territories, including Greenland.
On January 13, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that between the United States and Denmark, the country chooses Denmark and “does not want” to belong to, be part of, or be governed by the United States.
Trump said that Denmark was able to strengthen the island's defense in the face of global threats “only two dog sleds.”
