Sweden wraps up Greenland recon ahead of Arctic drills

Sweden has concluded its reconnaissance activities in Greenland, aimed at assessing conditions for future military exercises in the Arctic region.

The Swedish Armed Forces’ press service announced that the on-site work was carried out to study the conditions and possibilities for future exercises in Greenland and the Arctic — a region that is becoming increasingly strategically important for NATO, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“The presence of the Swedish Armed Forces consisted of several planning officers who were tasked with studying the conditions for future participation in exercises in Greenland and the Arctic,” the statement said.

Vice Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum, head of the Swedish Armed Forces’ operational command, noted that the next step will be to analyse the information collected and begin planning future exercises. Sweden intends to take part in the series of Danish exercises called “Arctic Resilience”, which aim to strengthen regional security and practice defending NATO’s northern flank.

“The series of exercises is conducted under Denmark’s leadership, and planning will be carried out in dialogue with Denmark and other allies,” the press release added.

On January 14, Denmark and the Greenland authorities announced their decision to intensify exercises in close cooperation with NATO allies amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic. Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Finland and the Netherlands have announced their intention to deploy troops to the island.

By Khagan Isayev