# Denmark and the Faroe Islands increase military presence in the North Atlantic

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1
- Published: 2026-08-04
- Author: Jacob Wollheim
- Type: News · Section: Maritime · Country: denmark
- Language: en — machine translation from sv; the sv version is authoritative: https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1.md)
- Primary source: https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2026/styrket-samarbejde-og-oget-aktivitet-i-og-omkring-faroerne/
- Tags: danmark, faroe islands, nato, f-35, vørn, arctic endurance, arctic sentry, danish armed forces, north atlantic, denmark, arctic

> Denmark and the Faroe Islands have agreed to increase the Armed Forces' activity in and around the Faroe Islands from 2026, as part of NATO's presence in the Arctic.

![Jeppe Bruus, Denmark's Minister of Defence.](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/032de26c-883a-4150-bdd6-94254ca05e00/public)
*Jeppe Bruus, Denmark's Minister of Defence. · Peter Dalby / Forsvaret*

**Denmark and the Faroe Islands have agreed to gradually increase military activity in and around the Faroe Islands from 2026 onwards. The efforts will be carried out in cooperation between the Danish Defence and Faroese authorities and may include joint exercises, maritime presence, and air operations.**

According to the Danish Ministry of Defence, the increased presence will take place periodically and be coordinated with Faroese authorities, including the coast guard VØRN. The activities may include joint training, support for NATO's maritime operations, patrols by F-35 fighter aircraft, and the presence of frigates and transport aircraft.

"With the agreement between Denmark and the Faroe Islands to jointly strengthen activity in and around the Faroe Islands, we are sending a clear signal that the Kingdom takes responsibility for our collective security across the entire realm. The reinforcement is part of the overall increased presence in the Arctic and constitutes a further contribution to NATO," says Denmark's Minister of Defence Jeppe Bruus in the [press release](https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2026/styrket-samarbejde-og-oget-aktivitet-i-og-omkring-faroerne/).

In a press release from the Faroe Islands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries, the cooperation is described as a joint arrangement in which efforts will be carried out, coordinated, and evaluated together. According to the ministry, the increased activity will strengthen the capacity for surveillance, readiness, and stability in the region.

"Given the current security policy situation, strengthening defence and security cooperation between the Faroe Islands, Denmark, and our allies is a clear priority. It is therefore also essential that decisions concerning the Faroe Islands are made in the Faroe Islands, and that measures are implemented in close cooperation with the Faroese authorities," says the Faroe Islands' Minister for Foreign Affairs and Fisheries, Bárður á Steig Nielsen, in the press release.

According to the Danish Ministry of Defence, the increased activity will be part of the Arctic Endurance exercise framework and linked to the NATO-led initiative Arctic Sentry.

## FAQ

**What does the agreement between Denmark and the Faroe Islands on increased military presence entail?**

The agreement means that Denmark and the Faroe Islands are strengthening their defence and security policy cooperation, with a gradual and periodically increased military activity in and around the Faroe Islands from 2026. The Danish Armed Forces are cooperating with Faroese authorities, including the coast guard VØRN. Last fact-checked: 2026-08-04.

**What military resources may be included in the increased activity around the Faroe Islands?**

The activity may include joint training between the Danish Armed Forces and VØRN, support for NATO's maritime operations, patrolling with F-35 fighter aircraft, and the presence of frigates and transport aircraft. This is according to information from the Danish Ministry of Defence. Last fact-checked: 2026-08-04.

**How is the increased presence at the Faroe Islands linked to NATO's activities in the Arctic?**

The increased activity takes place within the framework of the exercise concept Arctic Endurance and is linked to Arctic Sentry, which is led by NATO. The agreement is described by Minister of Defence Jeppe Bruus as part of a broader strengthening of the Kingdom's presence in the Arctic. Last fact-checked: 2026-08-04.

---
Nordic Defence Sector — independent newsroom covering the Nordic defence sector. When citing, attribute "Nordic Defence Sector" and link https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/denmark-and-the-faroe-islands-agree-on-increased-military-presence-1. Site guide: https://nordicdefencesector.com/llms.txt