NATO is bolstering its presence in the High North with a new military effort, dubbed “Arctic Sentry,” as concerns grow over increased activity by Russia and China in the region. The initiative, formally announced on , aims to enhance surveillance of the Arctic and deter potential challenges to the alliance’s interests.
The move follows calls from the United States, including former President Donald Trump, to safeguard the Arctic from growing Russian and Chinese influence. According to officials, Arctic Sentry will coordinate the activities of NATO member states in the region, strengthening the alliance’s overall presence. The mission is being led by NATO’s Joint Arctic Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia.
Easing Tensions Over Greenland
The launch of Arctic Sentry also appears intended to address lingering tensions stemming from a recent dispute over Greenland. Trump had previously floated the idea of the United States purchasing the autonomous Danish territory, reportedly raising the possibility of imposing tariffs if Denmark refused. He justified this approach by expressing concerns about the island’s security in the face of Russian and Chinese interest.
Following a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump indicated that a framework for a future agreement regarding Greenland and the broader Arctic region had been developed. This framework emphasizes ensuring security in the Arctic through collective allied action, particularly involving the seven Arctic NATO members: the United States, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
Sources within NATO suggest the United States is seeking to expand its military presence on Greenland and potentially gain a say in certain investments on the resource-rich island. This would represent a significant shift in the strategic landscape of the region.
Russia and China’s Growing Interest
NATO officials have expressed increasing concern over the growing interest shown by both Russia and China in the Arctic. The High North is seen as a crucial gateway to the North Atlantic, hosting vital trade, transport, and communication links between North America and Europe. Protecting these routes is a key priority for the alliance.
Moscow views the Arctic as central to its great power ambitions and shows no signs of scaling back its military and economic activities in the region. In fact, Russia has significantly increased its military presence, re-establishing former Soviet military sites – including airfields and deep-water ports – and establishing a dedicated Arctic Command. China, meanwhile, is seeking access to the Arctic’s energy resources, critical raw materials, and key shipping lanes.
General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, highlighted the concerning trend of joint Russian and Chinese patrols in the Arctic, extending north of Alaska and near Canada. “It’s not for peaceful purposes,” Grynkewich stated, adding that these activities include bathymetric surveys aimed at understanding how to counter NATO capabilities at sea.
Russian Response and Allied Reinforcements
Russia has warned of “retaliatory measures” should Western nations increase their military presence in Greenland. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow would take “appropriate countermeasures, including of a military-technical nature,” if the region becomes militarized and capabilities are established that are perceived as being directed against Russia.
The security concerns are prompting other nations in the region to take action. The United Kingdom announced on that it will double the number of its troops stationed in Norway, increasing the contingent from 1,000 to 2,000 over the next three years. British Defence Minister John Healey emphasized that Russia poses the “greatest threat to the security of the Arctic and the High North” since the Cold War.
This increase in troop numbers is coupled with a joint defense agreement between the UK and Norway, signed in December, which will see a joint frigate fleet deployed to “track Russian submarines” in the North Atlantic. The fleet will patrol between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom, focusing on the security of critical underwater cables.
Shifting NATO Command Structure
The evolving security landscape is also prompting a restructuring of NATO’s command structure. The United States is transferring command of two regional commands to European allies. Italy will assume leadership of the Southern Command, currently based in Naples, while the United Kingdom will take over the Northern Command, headquartered in Norfolk.
This shift reflects a broader effort to share the burden of security responsibilities and demonstrate a commitment to collective defense. The increased focus on the Arctic underscores the growing recognition within NATO that the region is becoming a critical strategic area in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
