In response to heightened US pressure, including repeated statements from President Donald Trump emphasising the strategic necessity of US control over the Arctic island, several European NATO allies have promised to send troops and materiel to the Nordic territory.
These turn out to be relatively small contingents of military personnel, consisting primarily of reconnaissance teams, officers and support teams rather than substantial combat forces.
Germany has confirmed the largest reported contingent among the European participants, dispatching a reconnaissance unit of 13 military personnel to Greenland’s capital Nuuk today for an exploration mission running until January 17.
The German defence ministry said this came in response to an invitation from Denmark to assess potential future contributions to regional security.
German Troops will arrive in Greenland tomorrow, under Danish command.
This circumvents NATO command structure, and allows Europe to defend Greenland in case of an invasion. pic.twitter.com/MeT1mdYHC5
— NXT EU (@NXT4EU) January 14, 2026
Norway is sending two defence personnel to map out further co-operation with allies, according to a spokesperson for the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.
Sweden has deployed “a few officers”, meaning a couple or three according to the Sweden Herald and who arrived on yesterday.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that they form part of a multinational allied group preparing for upcoming phases of NATO’s Operation Arctic Endurance, at Denmark’s explicit request.
France has confirmed is participation, too, with President Emmanuel Macron noting that the first military units are en route and others will follow.
Exact numbers remain unspecified in official statements, although reports suggest a small contingent of mountain warfare or reconnaissance specialists.
The Netherlands is contributing a small team, reported by some sources as around three troops, joining the multinational effort.
The UK has been mentioned in discussions about possible involvement but no firm deployment of personnel has been confirmed. Talks remain at a preliminary stage, with a potential focus on broader assets rather than ground troops.
These European contributions total no more than a few dozen personnel across all nations involved, serving largely symbolic and preparatory purposes.
The existing US presence of approximately 150 personnel is based at Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland.
Denmark is increasing its own activities, including additional aircraft, naval assets and soldiers.
The allied reinforcements underscore political support rather than a major shift in military balance.
The deployments follow a meeting yesterday in Washington between US, Danish and Greenlandic officials that failed to resolve differences over the territory’s future.
Danish leaders have framed the moves as routine NATO co-operation to strengthen Arctic security against broader threats, while avoiding direct confrontation.
The water passages north and south of Greenland are strategically significant to NATO since they serve as both potential pathways for Russian submarines and its Northern Water Fleet to reach the north Atlantic and routes for the deployment of US soldiers en route to Europe.
European promises to send troops are co-ordinated with Denmark, which retains responsibility for Greenland’s defence as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark .
They form part of expanded joint exercises under Operation Arctic Endurance and aim to demonstrate solidarity and bolster Arctic capabilities amid rising tensions.
https://x.com/brusselssignal/status/2009231573262950828?s=20
