Germany plans first-ever naval port call in Greenland, joins Arctic drills

Germany plans to send naval vessels to the Arctic region in response to increasing maritime activity, particularly by Russia, according to Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

Speaking at a press conference in Copenhagen on June 30, Pistorius stated that the German armed forces would demonstrate a visible presence in both the North Atlantic and Arctic zones starting this year, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“Maritime threats are increasing… Russia is militarising the Arctic. We are seeing an increasing activity of Russian submarines operating in that area,” Pistorius said. “As early as this year, Germany will show its presence in the North Atlantic and the Arctic.”

The deployment is part of a broader effort to enhance maritime security in a region undergoing significant changes. Melting ice caps have made the Arctic more accessible, opening new shipping routes and unlocking access to untapped natural resources. In recent years, Russia has expanded its Arctic military infrastructure and announced plans to add at least five new icebreakers to its fleet.

The German announcement also comes amid heightened interest in the Arctic among NATO members. Tensions have at times surfaced among Western allies, particularly in light of US President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. In response, Denmark announced in early 2025 a defence investment of 14.6 billion kroner (£1.96 billion), aimed at strengthening regional security in cooperation with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, both of which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Minister Pistorius also outlined planned cooperative efforts with regional allies. “Along the route, we will exercise with our allies in the region, and we have planned the first port call of a German navy ship to Nuuk in Greenland. We will then, for the first time, take part in the Canadian Arctic exercise, Nanook,” he said. German naval assets, including submarines, patrol aircraft, and frigates, will participate to demonstrate Germany’s engagement in Arctic security.

The patrol mission aligns with Germany’s evolving defence strategy, which aims to play a more active role in European and transatlantic security affairs. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Berlin has taken steps to increase its military posture.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has removed borrowing caps on defence projects and is pursuing an ambitious goal to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP. He has committed to building what he described as the “strongest conventional army” in Europe.

Among other defence initiatives, Germany is also weighing a return to conscription to bolster troop numbers. In parallel, Chancellor Merz has announced a €500 billion (£428 billion) special fund to overhaul Germany’s domestic infrastructure, with part of the plan aimed at facilitating NATO troop movements in the event of a military conflict.

In the Baltic region, Germany’s navy now leads the new multinational naval command known as CTF Baltic, headquartered in the port city of Rostock. The command is tasked with coordinating naval activity and monitoring maritime movements, including Russian ship activity in the area.

Separately, Germany deployed the frigate Hessen to the Red Sea last year as part of a European Union mission to protect commercial vessels from missile threats linked to the conflict in Yemen. The mission focused on countering attacks launched by Houthi forces targeting international shipping routes.

By Tamilla Hasanova