Germany to deploy Eurofighter jets for NATO's new Arctic operation

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany will initially contribute four Eurofighter jets and air refueling capabilities to NATO's Arctic Sentry operation, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of an EU defense ministers meeting in Brussels, Pistorius said NATO defense ministers will discuss the mission and national contributions during their meetings on Thursday.

"The German Armed Forces will participate with four Eurofighter jets and the corresponding air-to-air refueling capabilities in the first stage," he said. "What happens beyond that will be agreed upon among NATO partners tomorrow," he added.

When asked whether the mission was necessary or simply meant to appease the US amid recent tensions over Denmark's Arctic territory of Greenland, Pistorius emphasized Germany's long-standing commitment to Arctic security.

"And I have always said, since I took office, that the Arctic and the High North plays an important role for the security of Europe and North America," he noted. “Because the GIUK Gap between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom is of central importance for routes into and out of the North Atlantic, including for Russian submarines."

NATO's Allied Command Operations launched the Arctic Sentry exercise on Wednesday to enhance the alliance's presence in the Arctic and High North, according to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

The exercise follows a meeting in Davos, Switzerland, between US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, where the leaders agreed NATO should take a more active role in defending the region amid Russia's military activity and China's growing interest.

In recent months, Trump has renewed his interest in US control over Greenland, citing national security concerns about Russia and China. He threatened sanctions against European countries that opposed the move.

Trump later withdrew the threats after meeting with Rutte, where they agreed on a framework for a potential deal covering Greenland and the wider Arctic region, followed by talks between the US, Denmark, and Greenland.