Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand calls for NATO to establish the newly launched Arctic Sentry initiative as a permanent part of the alliance’s operations. Anand delivered the keynote address at the Arctic 360 conference in Toronto, which spans two days.
NATO Launches Arctic Sentry Initiative
NATO’s supreme commander announced the launch of Arctic Sentry, a program that coordinates allied activities in the Far North. This includes military exercises led by Denmark in Greenland and Norway’s annual Cold Response drill.
“Arctic Sentry underscores the alliance’s commitment to safeguard its members and maintain stability in one of the world’s most strategically significant and environmentally challenging areas,” stated U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe. The plans incorporated input from Canada and leverage NATO’s strengths to protect territory and secure the Arctic and High North.
Anand Advocates for Permanence
During her conference speech, Anand highlighted Canada’s long-standing efforts to strengthen NATO’s focus on Arctic defense amid rising geopolitical tensions. “We would like to see that initiative be permanent,” she said. “I am pushing NATO allies and the secretary-general to see this as a collective effort, not only an individual effort.”
Anand emphasized the need for NATO to monitor threats from the north, beyond the eastern focus driven by Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
Broadening NATO’s Arctic Focus
Details remain unclear on specific Canadian military contributions to Arctic Sentry, which functions as a coordination framework rather than a standalone operation. Questions persist about whether Canada’s Operation Nanook exercises could integrate into these NATO efforts.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed the importance of enhanced Arctic engagement ahead of a defence ministers’ meeting. “For the first time now, we will bring everything we do in the Arctic together under one command,” Rutte said. “By doing that, we will not only leverage what we are doing much more effectively and have a bigger impact, we will also be able to assess which gaps there are, which we have to fill — and of course we will fill them.”
Geopolitical Context and Greenland Concerns
The initiative addresses Russian and Chinese activities in the region, stemming partly from U.S. President Donald Trump’s concerns over Greenland’s defense. Trump previously suggested U.S. annexation of the Danish territory, prompting discussions on bolstering defenses.
A framework agreement now grants the U.S. greater access to Greenland for defense purposes, including upgrades to North American missile defense systems like the Golden Dome. Military experts note that Russian ballistic and hypersonic missiles would likely traverse Greenland en route to North America, necessitating radar and defense enhancements. A 1951 defence treaty already provides the U.S. with access to key Greenland sites.
Arctic Sentry will operate from NATO’s military command in Norfolk, Virginia, developed in coordination with Arctic stakeholders including the United States and Canada.
