The Danish Armed Forces have launched Arctic Light 2025, a major NATO exercise that is bringing together more than 550 personnel from across the Alliance for high-intensity training in and around Greenland.
The exercise, which began on 9 September and runs until 19 September, underscores NATO’s commitment to Arctic security and the collective defence of its northern flank.
The drills combine naval, land, air and special forces elements in some of the most challenging conditions faced by Allied militaries. Denmark has deployed the frigate HDMS Niels Juel, F-16 fighter aircraft, helicopters, transport planes and Home Guard units.
France has sent a naval vessel, an MRTT tanker, and mountain infantry equipped with drones, while Sweden, Norway and Germany have contributed personnel, observers and logistical support. Together, the multinational force is conducting live-fire exercises, special operations, cold-weather warfare and sea-rescue drills to test interoperability under Arctic conditions.
Operating from Greenland highlights the logistical and environmental challenges of the High North. Danish F-16s are flying sorties from Kangerlussuaq and Pituffik Space Base, sustained by French MRTT air-to-air refuelling. These long-range operations offer vital experience in sustaining advanced fighter aircraft across vast Arctic distances, where infrastructure is sparse and weather highly unpredictable.
Civil-military cooperation is another focus of the exercise. Large-scale search and rescue drills off Greenland’s coast have tested coordination between Allied militaries and Greenlandic authorities. With climate change opening new sea lanes and driving increased economic and strategic activity in the region, such preparedness is considered critical for managing potential crises.
Is this a NATO exercise with a message to both Trump and Putin ?
99% for Trump I would think, bizarre as it would seem!
It’s a strange and bizarre world we live in.
Indeed Jonathan-scary too 🙁
Even Mrs CR said things were getting scary with recent drone and aircraft incursions into NATO airspace and I bet she isn’t the only one noticing that things are getting ‘a bit dicey’.
(Just thought I’d put a bit of British understatement in there for any of our allies who might be reading 🙂 )
Cheers CR
Hmmm – I wonder if any US forces took part..? Just a thought…
Nope it was a NATO exercise without a single participant from the U.S. military ( unless a few exchange personnel were involved )
Telling… very telling.
Also, interesting that the Greenlandic authorities participated in the air sea rescue elements. I wonder if they were just a little more positive towards the Danish forces this time around..?
Cheers CR
Yes independence, just to be gobbled up by a monster is not independence. I would imagine they will want to take things a lot slow and consider what true sovereign independence means..