NATO Launches Arctic Sentry Military Effort to Address Greenland Dispute

The new initiative aims to improve security in the High North amid growing Russian and Chinese influence.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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NATO has launched a new military effort called Arctic Sentry to coordinate national military exercises in the Arctic region, such as Denmark's Arctic Endurance and Norway's Cold Response drills. This comes after tensions arose between the U.S. and its allies over President Trump's threats to annex Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. Arctic Sentry will be coordinated through NATO's U.S. headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, and is aimed at countering increased Russian and Chinese activity in the High North.

Why it matters

The dispute over Greenland highlighted the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic region, with NATO seeking to assert its presence and coordinate security efforts among its members in the face of Russian and Chinese influence in the area.

The details

Arctic Sentry will not involve the permanent deployment of NATO troops, but will serve as a label for coordinating existing national military exercises in the region. The UK has announced it will double the number of British troops deployed to Norway over the next three years to 2,000 as part of the effort. Other NATO members like France, Germany, and Denmark have also pledged to participate, though specifics on troop levels have not been provided.

  • NATO launched the Arctic Sentry initiative on February 12, 2026.
  • The UK plans to double its troop deployment to Norway over the next three years.

The players

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of 32 member states focused on collective defense and security.

Mark Rutte

The Secretary-General of NATO.

Alexus Grynkewich

The NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, a U.S. Air Force General.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who threatened to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

Denmark

A NATO member state that controls Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory.

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What they’re saying

“What is really new about it is that for the first time now we will bring everything we do in the Arctic together under one command.”

— Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General (nbcnews.com)

“In the face of Russia's increased military activity and China's growing interest in the High North, it was crucial that we do more.”

— Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General (nbcnews.com)

“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.”

— Alexus Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (nbcnews.com)

What’s next

Details on the specific military exercises and troop deployments that will fall under the Arctic Sentry label are still being finalized, but NATO plans to continue coordinating its security efforts in the region to counter Russian and Chinese influence.

The takeaway

The launch of Arctic Sentry demonstrates NATO's recognition of the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic, and its determination to maintain a strong presence and coordinate security efforts among its members in the face of increasing competition from Russia and China in the High North.