Showcasing Arctic Special Forces in Joint Exercise
More Concerned About Possible U.S. Military Action Than Russian Threat
On the 15th (local time), the Danish military conducted a joint military exercise called 'Arctic Light' in Greenland together with NATO member countries including France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway. The United States dispatched a military observation team. Photo by AP Yonhap News
The Danish military showcased the capabilities of its newly established Arctic Special Forces by conducting joint exercises with NATO member countries in Greenland. While the official purpose was to counter Russia, some analysts suggest that Denmark is actually more wary of the ambitions of the Donald Trump administration regarding Greenland. With allegations emerging that the U.S. government recently dispatched operatives to Greenland, there is growing concern that Denmark's military vigilance toward the Trump administration may intensify.
Danish Military Conducts Joint Exercises in Greenland, Showcasing Arctic Special Forces
On the 15th (local time), the Danish military conducted a joint military exercise called 'Arctic Light' with NATO member countries in Greenland, practicing ship infiltration. Photo by AP News Agency
The Danish government held a joint military exercise called 'Arctic Light' with NATO member countries, including France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway, in the Greenland region from September 9 to 19 (local time). With more than 550 troops, warships, and fighter jets participating, this was the largest military exercise ever held in Greenland. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada sent military observation teams to monitor the exercise.
The unit that attracted the most attention during the exercise was the Arctic Special Forces, newly established by the Danish military in January of this year. According to the Associated Press, the Danish government announced earlier this year that it would spend $2.3 billion (about 3.17 trillion won) to add three new naval vessels, long-range surveillance drones, and intelligence satellites to the Arctic Command, thereby creating the Arctic Special Forces. This unit has been stationed in Greenland since March, continuing its training locally.
The Danish military emphasized that the purpose of the exercise was to keep Russia in check. Soren Andersen, Commander of the Danish Joint Arctic Command, stated, "It is clear that when the war in Ukraine ends, Russia will reinforce its troops elsewhere. Russia has expanded its influence in the Arctic over the past 20 years and possesses military power that certainly qualifies it as a superpower in the region." He added, "For decades, we have cooperated with the United States through training and operations in the Middle East, and we are strengthening military cooperation at the United States' Pituffik military base in Greenland."
More Concerned About Trump’s Ambitions Than Russian Military Threats... Heightened Awareness of Potential Military Action
However, some argue that Denmark perceives the real security threat in Greenland as coming from the United States rather than Russia. This is because Russia faces geographical limitations that make it difficult to pose an immediate military threat to Greenland.
CNN, citing Danish military officials, reported, "For Russian forces to reach the western region of Greenland, where major cities are located, they would have to cross the massive mountainous terrain in central Greenland, and considering the harsh climate, it would not be easy to launch an attack. While Russia may pose a threat around Alaska, it is difficult for them to present an immediate military threat to Greenland."
In contrast, the threat from the U.S. government is becoming increasingly tangible. Danish public broadcaster DR reported on August 27, citing Danish government and U.S. sources, "At least three Americans have conducted influence operations in Greenland aimed at manipulating public opinion. They collected lists of Greenland residents who are either friendly or opposed to the United States, and attempted to contact Greenlandic politicians and businesspeople." The Danish government also summoned the acting U.S. ambassador to Denmark on August 28 to demand clarification regarding these reports.
There are growing concerns that the Danish government may become even more vigilant against U.S. attempts to incorporate Greenland, potentially straining bilateral relations. CNN noted, "From the beginning of his term, President Trump threatened territorial expansion, including the purchase of Greenland, annexation of Canada, and the return of the Panama Canal, and specifically stated that military action could be taken regarding Greenland. The Danish government still considers preventing the annexation of Greenland by the United States to be its most urgent and worrisome diplomatic challenge."
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