Canada joins NATO allies for Arctic Shield exercise in Greenland
Canada is among the NATO countries in Greenland this month for the Arctic Shield military exercise, aimed to improve how the allies operate together in the North.
“Participating members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will have the opportunity to strengthen interoperability with NATO and partner nations in a challenging Arctic environment,” a spokesperson from Canadian Joint Operations Command said in an email exchange.
“Specifically, CAF personnel will exchange and refine Arctic tactics, techniques, and procedures with allied partners while practising strategic and tactical mobility and sustainment through airlift.”
The exercise will take place in two areas of Greenland.
In all, 400 soldiers, sailors and airforce members will train in the area around Narsarsuaq, a village in Greenland’s South.
Elsewhere, Dutch marines will train and exercise in the fjord-system of Kangerlussuaq, a settlement north of the Arctic Circle.
- French infantry units
- Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Home Guard units
- Belgian drone unit
- Finnish and Danish special operation forces
- Observer team and logistical support from Germany
- observer and liaison teams from Poland and Slovenia
“Defence Command Denmark and Joint Arctic Command is supporting the activities on the ground with helicopters, ships, deployable medical support facilities and expertise and logistical support for the participating nations,” Danish Defence said.
Around 15 Canadian Armed Forces members will participate, including personnel from the Arctic Response Company Group, Canadian Ranger instructors and Canadian Rangers, Arctic advisers, and medical support personnel, Canadian Joint Operations Command said.
Royal Canadian Air Force CC-177 Globemaster and CC-130 Hercules aircraft will also help transport and resupply personnel during the exercise.
“Activities will include instruction and practical exercises covering Arctic weather and climate considerations, the operation and maintenance of equipment in extreme cold conditions, terrain analysis and navigation, Arctic medicine and casualty management, as well as survival and sustainment skills essential for operating in remote northern regions,” Canadian Joint Operations Command said.
Additional Canadian participation
Arctic Shield is part of Arctic Sentry, NATO’s military initiative launched in Feb. 2026 to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence and defence in the High North.
In addition to the activities in Greenland, Canada will also participate in other northern operations taking place alongside Arctic Shield.
This includes Canadian, Danish and American fighter jets conducting air operations over Iceland, Greenland and Canada.
Arctic Shield runs from Sept.7 to 18.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canadian Army looking for surveillance, cargo-drop drone suppliers, including for Arctic, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland hails plan for allies to join NATO land forces in North, The Independent Barents Observer
Iceland: Iceland to seek new security partnerships after voters reject EU accession talks, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia’s nuclear fleet, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: NATO’s Arctic moves pose ‘direct threat’ to Russia, foreign minister Lavrov says,The Associated Press
Sweden: Nordic-Baltic region joins forces around Sweden’s CV90, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic
