Major General Søren Andersen Invites US to Joint Military Exercises in Greenland
On Friday, Major General Søren Andersen, who leads the Arctic Command, extended an invitation to the United States to join upcoming military exercises in Greenland. This announcement came directly from the general during an interview on a Danish warship stationed in Nuuk.
Andersen shared that these exercises are scheduled for later this year and is currently awaiting confirmation from the U.S. regarding its participation. The specifics of the exercise remain somewhat murky; it is unclear whether the U.S. is being invited to join “Operation Arctic Endurance,” the Danish military exercise that has already attracted attention from several NATO countries, which have dispatched their defense personnel to the region in recent days.
The United States maintains a presence of approximately 150 personnel at the Pituffik Space Base—previously known as Thule—as a result of a defense agreement established in 1951, which grants the U.S. military free access to Greenland.
Strengthening Military Presence
In a parallel development, both the Danish Ministry of Defense and the Greenlandic government announced a bolstered military presence in and around Greenland earlier this week. This initiative aims to enhance NATO’s footprint in the Arctic, promoting security for both Europe and North America.
Countries like Norway, Sweden, and Germany have already contributed troops to the island, while the U.S. continues to express interest in Greenland, a point of strategic concern they associate with potential threats from China and Russia.
Andersen noted that, to date, no Russian or Chinese ships have been reported near Greenland, stating, “There are Russian and Chinese vessels in the Arctic Ocean, but not in close proximity to Greenland.” He expressed confidence in NATO’s unity, remarking, “I cannot imagine one NATO country attacking another.”
During a meeting on Thursday, Andersen engaged with troops from France, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, who received a comprehensive briefing on the operational landscape of Greenland and its Arctic Command, according to a post from the Norwegian Defense Forces shared on Facebook.
The Swedish Armed Forces play an integral role in the region’s defense efforts, with their activities coordinated by the Arctic Command, primarily focusing on maritime surveillance and the assertion of sovereignty.
As this narrative unfolds, the implications of increased military collaboration in the Arctic are becoming increasingly significant, signaling a shift in the geopolitical dynamics of this strategic region.
/Ritzau/