Germany Snow and ice: military operation on Greenland is a borderline experience
The servicemen and women from European NATO states can expect exceptionally difficult conditions during their exploratory mission. "It is very, very difficult to operate up here, especially on land," said the head of the Arctic Command, Søren Andersen, to the German Press Agency in Nuuk. This requires "training".
18.01.2026, 08:04
SDA
Under the impression of the annexation plans repeatedly voiced by US President Donald Trump, members of the German Armed Forces, among others, arrived on Greenland on Friday. Germany and other nations are initially involved in a fact-finding mission before the actual military exercise.
On Saturday, Trump escalated the dispute and announced additional tariffs against Germany and seven other European countries from the beginning of February, including the UK and Denmark. The staggered tariffs are to apply until an agreement is reached on the complete purchase of the Arctic island, Trump announced. The US President is annoyed that soldiers from European countries have been sent to Greenland.
"We, my soldiers up here, are used to it, but there are many units of the armed forces - also in Denmark - who are also not used to working up here," said Command Chief Andersen. Special equipment is required, "special sleeping bags, special winter equipment". In addition, it is simply "special to work in an environment where there are no trees, it is difficult to hide, so you have to operate in a very specific way, and that is something you have to learn," said the commando chief.
Close partner of Denmark
Andersen described Germany as a close partner of Denmark, "with whom we work incredibly well". The German military has many capabilities. "These can be special forces as well as aircraft," said Andersen, who also mentioned submarines and ships that could train in the far north.
It is different to working in the Baltic Sea. "The waterways here are full of ice, it's dangerous to sail here, there are different waves up here," said Andersen. "It's sub-zero temperatures - when we get to Kangerlussuaq, it can be minus 30, minus 40 degrees on a normal winter's day."
According to the Ministry of Defense in Berlin, the German soldiers are to examine conditions for joint military exercises. The question is whether the Arctic is safe and to what extent Germany and its NATO partners can contribute to this, said the spokesperson. The German team - 15 men and women - consists of logisticians and experts from various fields.
