Major General Soren Andersen, head of Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, said the force’s priority is countering potential Russian activity around Greenland, not monitoring the United States. He described conflict among NATO allies as hypothetical and highlighted continued cooperation with NATO partners. Andersen noted a Russian research vessel about 310 nautical miles away and pointed to Denmark’s 42 billion DKK Arctic defence package from 2022. Denmark has invited the U.S. to the Arctic Endurance exercise as the region’s security posture is strengthened.
Denmark’s Arctic Commander: ‘Our Focus Is Russia, Not the U.S.’
Chief of Joint Arctic Command, Major General Soren Andersen, poses during an interview with Reuters, on board a Danish warship in Nuuk, Greenland, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
NUUK, Greenland — Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command is concentrating on countering potential Russian activity in the Arctic, rather than guarding against U.S. military threats, Major General Soren Andersen told Reuters on Friday while aboard a Danish warship in Nuuk.
Andersen’s comments come after repeated public remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump emphasizing Greenland’s strategic value to the United States and at times refusing to rule out force to secure the autonomous island, which remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
“My focus is not toward the U.S., not at all. My focus is on Russia,” Andersen said.
He dismissed the idea of open conflict between NATO allies as largely hypothetical. “I don’t see a NATO ally attacking another NATO ally,” Andersen said, while noting that Denmark maintains routine defence planning and exercises together with NATO partners.
Chief of Joint Arctic Command, Major General Soren Andersen, speaks during an interview with Reuters, on board a Danish warship in Nuuk, Greenland, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
NATO Exercises and Partnerships
European nations recently deployed small detachments to Greenland in preparation for the Arctic Endurance NATO exercise, which will test forces operating in harsh winter conditions. Andersen said Denmark invited the United States to participate in Arctic Endurance and that he met with a number of NATO partners to discuss the exercise, although U.S. participation had not yet been confirmed. Denmark did not invite the U.S. to a similar September exercise.
Surveillance, Rescue and Long-Range Patrols
The Joint Arctic Command, responsible for defence around Greenland and the Faroe Islands, conducts surveillance and search-and-rescue missions using patrol vessels, aircraft, helicopters and satellite systems. It also fields the long-range Sirius dog-sled patrol for deep-Arctic operations.
Andersen said he was not aware of any Chinese or Russian ships close to Greenland itself; the closest vessel of interest was a Russian research ship about 310 nautical miles away. He added that NATO allies maintain a solid situational picture in the region.
Chief of Joint Arctic Command, Major General Soren Andersen, speaks during an interview with Reuters, on board a Danish warship in Nuuk, Greenland, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
“We actually expect an increase in Russian activities in the coming years, and... we have to start training and increase the presence here in the Arctic to protect NATO’s northern border,” Andersen said, stressing the need to adapt posture and readiness.
Funding and Ongoing Cooperation
In response to rising security concerns, Denmark allocated an Arctic defence package of 42 billion Danish crowns (about $6.54 billion) in 2022. Andersen also emphasized frequent cooperation with U.S. military counterparts, noting recent meetings with the commander of U.S. NORTHCOM and the commander of Alaska Command, as well as discussions at the U.S. Pituffik (Thule) base in Greenland, with further engagements planned.
Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Janis Laizans; edited by Terje Solsvik and Gareth Jones.
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