NATO Chief Unveils Arctic Sentry Before Defense Talks

New multi-domain activity to bolster security in the Arctic and High North

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Ahead of a meeting of Allied Defence Ministers at NATO headquarters, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte set out plans for a new multi-domain activity called Arctic Sentry to strengthen NATO's posture in the Arctic and High North. The activity will bring together NATO and Allied activities, including exercises like Denmark's Arctic Endurance and Norway's Cold Response.

Why it matters

With Russia's increasing military activity and China's growing interest in the Arctic, NATO Allies have agreed to do more to ensure collective security in this vital region. The Arctic Sentry activity is part of NATO's efforts to bolster its presence and capabilities in the Arctic.

The details

The Arctic Sentry activity will be led by Joint Force Command Norfolk and will include exercises involving tens of thousands of personnel and equipment to operate in Arctic conditions. In his remarks, Rutte also praised increased Allied defense spending, urged a continued focus on defense production, and detailed expectations for the upcoming meeting of Allied Defense Ministers.

  • On Wednesday 11 February 2026, ahead of a meeting of Allied Defence Ministers at NATO headquarters, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte set out plans for Arctic Sentry.
  • A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will take place on Thursday, with Allies joined by Ukraine's new Defence Minister and a representative of the European Union.

The players

Mark Rutte

NATO Secretary General who unveiled plans for the Arctic Sentry activity.

Mykhailo Fedorov

Ukraine's new Defence Minister who will attend the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting.

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What they’re saying

“Investment is up by tens of billions", Mr Rutte said, commending Allies for the real progress achieved in line with commitments made at the Summit in The Hague.”

— Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General (Mirage News)

“We are doing this together" he emphasised "Re-distributing roles in ways that make sense for all involved.”

— Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General (Mirage News)

“Ukraine cannot sustain this fight or secure the peace alone," Mr Rutte stressed. "This is why Allies have backed Ukraine with action - not just words - since the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.”

— Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General (Mirage News)

What’s next

Following the NATO meeting, Ministers will take part in a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group led by the United Kingdom and Germany.

The takeaway

The Arctic Sentry activity is a key part of NATO's efforts to bolster its presence and capabilities in the Arctic region, which has seen increased military activity from Russia and growing interest from China. This demonstrates NATO's commitment to collective security and its willingness to adapt to emerging challenges in the High North.