UK surveillance units from the Royal Air Force and Navy could join a “tripwire” of troops stationed in Greenland to reassure Donald Trump that Europe can defend itself.
Military delegations from eight Nato countries, including a military officer from the UK, flew to Greenland last week on a fact-finding mission to explore options as European allies attempt shore up security in the Arctic.
With discussions ongoing, The i Paper understands that this could include the deployment of troops and sea and air reconnaissance units, including Boeing P8 Poseidon maritime aircraft, used by the RAF.
Other than the US, only Norway, Germany, and the UK have P8s, working closely on joint surveillance missions, including to monitor Vladimir Putin’s “shadow fleet” of sanctioned oil tankers as well as Russian submarines.
The UK flies them out of airbases in Lossiemouth, Scotland, which serves as the main RAF hub for North Atlantic surveillance.
Any deployment would be intended to ease Trump’s fears that the territory could fall into the hands of China or Russia unless the United States is given control of the territory.
Denmark has signalled that last week’s recon mission was a precursor for a “more permanent military presence” on the island, with Nato countries participating on a rotating basis.
Danish troops have already arrived in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, with around 100 soldiers arriving at the island’s international airport in in Kangerlussuaq on Monday evening.
Danish soldiers arriving at Nuuk airport, Greenland, on January 19, 2026 (Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/AFP/Getty)Defence officials from the country said there would be a “substantial increase” in Danish military personnel on the island as they take part in the Arctic Endurance exercises – a continuous training operation to prepare for threats coming from the northern Arctic.
This is part of a precautionary operation to prepare for possible future threats from Russia and China – and not as a response to the US President.
However, Nato officials have told this paper that there is an additional benefit of showing the White House that Europe is capable of defending itself – a point questioned by Washington.
Discussions are now taking place amongst Nato allies about how they can step-up and meet the security demands, as well as cool tensions across the Atlantic.
While no decisions have been made, a possible UK involvement which has been floated includes the use of specialist aircraft for surveillance operations.
It is understood that the P8 maritime aircraft – specialized fixed-wing planes designed for long-duration missions over water – are being discussed as a logical option due to the size and terrain of Greenland, as well as any expected threat originating from the island’s shores.
The plans to form a “tripwire” – often a small, multinational force to provide a clear military line between peace and war – are similar to forces Nato has deployed in Eastern Europe to counter any further aggression by Moscow.
They are being formulated in the hope that the US President can be persuaded to back down from his position if he sees European allies stepping up to the plate in defending against China and Russia – rather than as preparation for a US attack.
Trump had reportedly misunderstood last week’s Nato reconnaissance mission to the island as he said the eight allies were playing a “very dangerous game” and levelled a tariff threat their way if they tried to stand in the way of his bid to acquire Greenland for these security reasons.
Your next read
square POLITICSWork at KFC or lose your benefits, all 18 to 21-year-olds to be told
square NATONato officials restrict intelligence to US over Trump threats
square RENTERS‘I paid £15,000 up front for student housing – the landlord tried to kick us out’
square WORLD AnalysisWhat Trump really wants (and why he’s going to get it)
Sir Keir Starmer told Trump in a call on Sunday that a small deployment of military officers to Greenland last week was “clearly there to assess and work on risk from the Russians”.
It forms part of Downing Street’s attempts to persuade the US President not to annex Greenland, by boosting Greenland’s security and engaging in a diplomatic blitz of key US figures, hoping to ward off threats of a trade war with European countries if he is not handed Greenland.
Starmer stressed the need for a “calm” response and signalled he was reluctant to be drawn into a tit-for-tat trade war with a vital ally, as he held an emergency press conference in Downing Street on Monday.
Hence then, the article about raf and navy in talks to join nato force in greenland was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( RAF and Navy in talks to join Nato force in Greenland )
Also on site :
- Hundreds of flights delayed at O'Hare after pipe burst at air traffic control tower
- Trump mocks Macron after Gaza ‘peace board’ snub
- Trump discloses ‘private message’ from Macron