“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” Trump said earlier this month.

In response, Denmark on 15 January launched Operation Arctic Endurance – a wide ranging series of military drills centred around Greenland that will run throughout 2026. Danish personnel began arriving immediately via transport aircraft.

Denmark also reached out to its NATO allies, requesting they also commit forces to the effort.

France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK have all pledged troops.

Copenhagen says planning and reconnaissance teams from several of those partners have already made visits to Greenland ahead of larger bodies of troops, assessing the logistical and operational requirements for deploying to the harsh Arctic locale during the winter.

The initial phase of the exercise is primarily being conducted around the capital city Nuuk and in Kangerlussuaq on the west coast.

Additional fighter sorties are also planned throughout the duration of the mission.

“Flights involving F-35 fighter jets and tanker aircraft will therefore continue in the period ahead,” the DAF says.

Meanwhile, national leaders are onvened in Davos, Switzerland for the annual World Economic Forum, where French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking to broker an emergency summit between Trump and other stakeholders in the unfolding crisis.

Ahead of the gathering, Trump declared he will enact punitive import tariffs on goods coming from the countries participating in the Danish-led exercises in Greenland.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country has long been a target of Trump’s threats and trade sanctions, delivered a fiery speech describing Washington’s territorial and economic aggression as the end of global era.

“We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition,” Carney said on 20 January from Davos.

The prime minister added that Canada stands “firmly with Greenland and Denmark” in the matter of self-determination.

The tough talk does not bode well for the prospects of Canada’s previously agreed upon deal to purchase 88 American-made F-35As from Lockheed – a contract that Carney placed under review when he took office in 2025.

Public opinion in Canada has dramatically soured on the purchase, particularly after Swedish airframer Saab re-entered the fray with an offer of local production – if Canada instead selects the Gripen E/F as its new fighter.

That Saab jet lost out to the F-35A in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s competitive selection process, but political tensions now have authorities in Ottawa looking for ways to reduce their reliance on American defence suppliers.

Funds for 16 F-35As have already been committed, with the remaining balance now up for grabs.