NATO has started a mission to strengthen its presence in the Arctic following Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.
The mission, called Arctic Sentry, will coordinate the increasing military presence of NATO allies in the Arctic, the alliance’s military headquarters said in a statement.
This includes exercises such as Denmark’s Arctic Endurance exercise in its semi-autonomous territory Greenland.
It comes after Mr Trump repeatedly highlighted his ambition to own Greenland, saying it was necessary for US national security.
Denmark and other European NATO members pushed back, after which the US president said he couldn’t rule out military action and later threatened some European nations – including the UK – with new tariffs if he was blocked from purchasing Greenland.
In late January, Mr Trump and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte agreed during talks in Davos that the alliance would play a greater role in protecting the Arctic, and to further discussions about Greenland.
Read more: Why Trump has insisted the US ‘needs’ Greenland
Mission Arctic Sentry “underscores the alliance’s commitment to safeguard its members and maintain stability in one of the world’s most strategically significant and environmentally challenging areas,” US Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, said.
“It will leverage NATO’s strength to protect our territory and ensure the Arctic and High North remain secure.”
British forces will play a vital part in the mission, Defence Minister John Healey said.
He said that the number of British troops sent to Norway will double over three years, from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel, to strengthen Arctic and High North security against rising Russian threats.
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Arctic Sentry will also include other NATO activities, which will be added to the mission once broader security needs are assessed and as the national military exercises end.
France and Germany have said they will take part, but have not confirmed how many of their troops will be involved.
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The British government said the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) security alliance plans major military activity in the High North, with hundreds of troops due to be deployed across Iceland, the Danish Straits and Norway in an exercise set to take place in September.
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden are also part of the JEF.
