The sole officer has been sent at Copenhagen's request to join a reconnaissance group
The sole officer has been sent at Copenhagen's request to join a reconnaissance group (Picture: Forsvaret)
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Greenland is safe in our hands, Nato allies signal to US president Trump

The sole officer has been sent at Copenhagen's request to join a reconnaissance group
The sole officer has been sent at Copenhagen's request to join a reconnaissance group (Picture: Forsvaret)

The UK has deployed an officer to Greenland, while Denmark has increased its military presence on the world's largest island after US President Donald Trump's calls to annex the country. 

The sole officer has been sent at Copenhagen's request to join a reconnaissance group ahead of a planned Arctic Endurance exercise, Downing Street revealed. 

Denmark's defence minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said that the joint operation would need several allied countries, warning that "no one can predict what will happen tomorrow".

Germany, Sweden, Norway and France confirmed they would send personnel to the joint mission, which aims to coordinate further cooperation to improve regional security and "strengthen our ability to operate in the area," Denmark's defence ministry said. 

BFBS Forces News has summarised the key developments in the High North. 

Op Clockwork

UK Commando Force has continued its training, after 1,500 personnel and their all-terrain vehicles and helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) were deployed at the start of the year on Operation Clockwork.  

Op Clockwork, which is run out of Bardufoss Air Station, is an exercise to get CHF's personnel ready to operate in the High North at short notice. 

"Operating in the Arctic is hard, UKCF thrives in it," UK Commando Force Operations said in a post on X. 

"CHF Merlins provides the heavy lift for personnel now based at Camp Viking.

"A new era of Arctic readiness. A constant shield on Nato's northern flank."

Denmark sends Hercules to Nuuk 

Social media videos appear to show a Hercules aircraft landing in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, as Denmark continues to build up its military presence in the country. 

Meanwhile, another Hercules aircraft was allegedly sent to Kangerlussuaq. 

The footage on social media shows the transport aircraft surrounded by vehicles at an airport at night as people move items out of its hold. 

Al Carns announces 40% increase in Marines deployed in High North 

Ex Cold Response will see the commandos participating in the largest military exercise in Norway this year
Ex Cold Response will see the commandos participating in the largest military exercise in Norway this year (Picture: MOD)

Speaking to BFBS Forces News reporter Rosie Laydon, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said: "That agreement with the Norwegians (Lunna House Agreement) means that Royal Marines will be deployed all year round, not in the same numbers though. They'll peak in the winter. We're about 1,500 [Royal] Marines.

"I think this [Exercise] Cold Response [is] a 40% increase on last year. And I'll be deploying up there as, unfortunately or fortunately, I'm an instructor in Arctic warfare, so I'll be going back to help out with the teams."

Mr Carns added that he was removing his suit and instead will be wearing his cam whites, which he "can't wait for".

Ex Cold Response will see the commandos participating in the largest military exercise in Norway this year, along with marines from the Netherlands. 

The exercise will demonstrate Nato's unity and the ability of the alliance to combat threats in the High North. 

Foreign Secretary visits Finland and Norway 

Yvette Cooper saw Royal Marines taking part in a live training exercise in Norway
Yvette Cooper saw Royal Marines taking part in a live training exercise in Norway (Picture: MOD)

Yvette Cooper, the UK's Foreign Secretary, has visited Finland and Norway as she urged Nato to step up its work in the Arctic to defend regional interests against Russia. 

In Finland, Ms Cooper met border guards protecting Nato's eastern flank against Russia, and in Norway, she saw Royal Marines taking part in a live training exercise. 

Ahead of the trip, the former Home Secretary said: "Britain is stepping up our Arctic security. With our allies, we are working to strengthen Arctic defences and deter any attempts from the likes of Vladimir Putin to threaten our interests and infrastructure."

Additional reporting by Rosie Laydon. 

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