Denmark's Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen participated on September 15 in the exercise Arctic Light 2025 in Nuuk together with Norway's Minister of Defense Tore O Sandvik and Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. From the Greenlandic side, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Research Vivian Motzfeldt also participated.
The exercise gathers over 550 soldiers from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, and Germany. The purpose is to strengthen operational capability in and around Greenland, under the leadership of Arctic Command and in close cooperation with the Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut.
– The current security policy situation requires us to significantly strengthen the defense's presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Arctic Light 2025, with participation from NATO allies, is a good example of how we stand together to enhance the defense's ability to meet threats in the Arctic, says Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen in the press release.
During the visit, the ministers boarded the frigate Niels Juel where they observed exercise elements with helicopters, F-16 aircraft, and special forces. The exercise also includes elements such as sea rescue, environmental protection, and protection of critical infrastructure.
– Defense exercises and joint training with NATO allies are crucial for strengthening security in the Arctic. At the same time, the activities make the military presence more visible. It is a new reality that we must get used to in Greenland, says Vivian Motzfeldt, Naalakkersuisut for Foreign Affairs and Research.
According to Chief of Defense Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard, the exercise contributes to increasing both Danish and NATO joint readiness in the Arctic. Arctic Light 2025 is one of several activities in the region during the year, where exercises with France and Canada have also been conducted.