The North Atlantic Alliance has officially begun military planning for a new mission in the Arctic region. This was announced by Colonel Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
‘Planning for enhanced NATO surveillance activities called Arctic Sentry is already underway. These activities will further strengthen NATO’s position in the Arctic and the Far North,’ O’Donnell said.
The alliance representative declined to disclose specific details of the operation, noting that preparations are in the very early stages. According to preliminary data, the mission will involve enhanced monitoring and a show of force, similar to Operation Baltic Sentry, which was launched in 2025 to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
The decision to begin planning was made against the backdrop of heated discussions surrounding Greenland. In recent weeks, tensions between the United States and its European NATO allies have risen significantly following repeated statements by US President Donald Trump about the need to ensure American control over the island in order to counter alleged threats from Russia and China. European countries, including Denmark (the owner of Greenland), Norway, Germany, France and others, have advocated for collective security in the region within the framework of NATO, rather than unilateral action.
Denmark’s Arctic Endurance operation, supported by several NATO allies, is already underway in Greenland and will continue throughout 2026. The new Arctic Sentry plan is seen as the next step in institutionally strengthening the alliance’s presence in the High North.
It is expected that in the coming weeks, NATO defence ministers may hold consultations in Brussels to discuss the preliminary outlines of the mission.
NATO officials emphasise that the mission’s goal is to maintain stability, ensure freedom of navigation and uphold international law in the Arctic.