NATO’s Joint Force Command Operations has announced the launch of the Arctic Sentry mission, aimed at coordinating and strengthening the military presence of allies in the Arctic and the Far North.
The new mission will combine the growing activities of NATO countries in the region into a single operational concept. This involves multi-domain exercises and operations, including the Danish Arctic Endurance series and the upcoming Norwegian Cold Response manoeuvres, to which allied units have already begun to arrive.
‘Arctic Sentry underscores the alliance’s commitment to defending its members and maintaining stability in one of the most strategically important and environmentally challenging regions in the world,’ said General Alexus Grinkevich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
NATO notes that the launch of the mission reflects the alliance’s growing attention to security in the Arctic amid Russia’s military activity and China’s increasing interest in the region. Last month, at a meeting in Davos, US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte agreed that the alliance should play a more active collective role in defending the region.
The mission will be led by NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC Norfolk), whose area of responsibility now covers the entire Arctic region. The alliance also intends to coordinate with NORAD and the US Northern and European commands.
