On 30 June 2025, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that the German Armed Forces will undertake a presence cruise in the Arctic with the task force provider "Berlin" before the end of 2025. Harbour stops and exercises are planned in Iceland, Greenland and Canada; Germany will also take part in the Canadian Arctic exercise "Nanook" for the first time. This project emphasises Germany's ambition to assume responsibility on NATO's northern flank and demonstrate its presence in the far north.
Presence trip and "Atlantic Bear": From Iceland to Greenland
The "Berlin" will sail from Iceland via Greenland to Canada as part of the "Atlantic Bear" manoeuvre. Joint exercises with allies are planned along the route, including the first visit by a German naval vessel to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Germany will also take part in the "Nanook" exercise, a series of exercises organised by the Canadian armed forces. In its naval components 'Nanook Tuugaalik' and 'Nanook Nunakput', this series of exercises includes presence and surveillance operations by the Royal Canadian Navy with allies in the sea area from Baffin Bay to the Northwest Passage. The naval manoeuvres traditionally take place from mid-August: in 2024, 'Nanook Tuugaalik' ran from 12 to 22 August. The Canadian Ministry of Defence usually only publishes the exact schedules a few weeks before they begin.
Solidarity with Denmark and Greenland
Pistorius emphasised the importance of cooperation with Denmark and Greenland. He agreed a solidarity visit to Greenland in September with Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen to demonstrate the close security cooperation. This visit also takes place against the backdrop of the USA's renewed interest in Greenland as a strategic territory.
Overall European strategy for the Arctic
The German presence cruise is part of a comprehensive European strategy for the Arctic. Denmark has held the EU Council Presidency since 1 July 2025 and is placing the Arctic at the centre of its agenda. At the EU Arctic Forum in Kittilä (northern Finland), the EU Commission confirmed the objectives of its updated Arctic strategy and announced an "Arctic Action Plan".
Security policy categorisation
The Arctic is gaining in geostrategic importance due to climate change and the 'opening up' of new sea trade routes. At the same time, Russia is pushing ahead with the militarisation of the region, which is causing concern among the Western littoral states. Germany's planned Arctic mission is intended to strengthen NATO's northern flank and monitor Russia's activities in these sea areas.
With the planned naval deployment to the High North, Germany is emphasising its claim to take responsibility for the security of its western partners. This presence sends a visible signal to the alliance partners that stability in the Arctic should be jointly protected.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius with his Danish counterpart. Photo: MoD Copenhagen
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