According to the Danish Armed Forces in a statement, the aim of the mission was to practice joint operations including air refueling, long-distance flights and maintaining safety in the harsh conditions of the Arctic.
What exercises did the Danish Armed Forces conduct?
Where did the maneuvers of Danish and French planes take place?
What planes took part in the exercises?
Why is the Danish Armed Forces strengthening air operations in the Arctic?
The planes' route led from the Fighter Wing Skrydstrup base in Jutland (in the mainland part of Denmark) directly to the area around Kulusuk on the east coast of Greenland. The French refueling plane took off from its base in southern France, where it returned after completing training in Greenland. During the exercises over the North Atlantic, the machines also flew over the Faroe Islands.
NATO planes over Greenland. “Strengthening Air Operations”
Last year, Denmark and France conducted similar exercises several times, but with the participation of Danish F-16 fighters and along the western coast of Greenland. The Danish army emphasizes that this was part of the general strengthening of air operations in the Arctic regions and served to build common experience in operating in cold, demanding conditions.
“The increased military activity is the result of the intensified presence and training of the Danish armed forces in and around Greenland in 2025 with allies including France, Germany, Sweden and Norway.”
— we read in a statement from the Danish Armed Forces.
The Danes assure that joint flights involving F-35 fighters and refueling aircraft will continue “in the near future.”
The largest island in the world has recently attracted the attention of observers due to the declarations of US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly spoken about the need for the United States to take over Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. The Danish authorities and citizens of the country strongly oppose these claims.
