The Danish Navy has recently conducted tests of underwater drones in the waters off Nuuk (Greenland), together with Canadian forces, according to Danish Defence. The purpose is to evaluate the drones' capabilities in Greenland's cold and deep waters and to determine which systems perform best under Arctic conditions.
Jan Stripp, head of the Navy's Subsurface & Seabed Warfare unit, states that the tests will provide experience of the drones' capabilities and limitations in Greenlandic waters, which differ significantly from those around Denmark.
Canada participated with two observers. Canadian mine clearance officer Greg Richards states that the tests give the Canadian Navy insight into the capabilities of allied technology used in Arctic waters and strengthen interoperability between the two countries.
The tests are being conducted as part of increased support for Greenland within the framework of Arctic Endurance, in cooperation with Arctic Command (Arktisk Kommando). According to Danish Defence, an important objective is to improve seabed surveillance and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure within the Rigsfællesskabet (the Danish Realm, comprising Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands).