Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has highlighted the growing strategic importance of Greenland and the wider Arctic as the House of Commons Defence Committee continues its inquiry into security in the High North.
Dhesi, who chairs the Defence Committee, joined fellow MPs on a visit to Greenland as part of the inquiry, which is examining emerging threats in the Arctic and North Atlantic and whether the UK has the right capabilities, alliances and strategy to respond.
Reflecting on the visit, Dhesi said:
"Greenland is an amazing place, whose strategic importance has come to the fore globally."
He added that the Committee had discussed with MPs, Denmark's Defence Minister, senior defence figures and representatives from the Faroe Islands how allies can work together to counter shared threats.
Arctic becoming more strategically important
The Defence Committee launched its High North inquiry in January, warning that melting polar ice is making the Arctic increasingly accessible and creating new defence and security challenges.
The Committee said Russia's growing military presence in the region was a particular concern, while increased access could also create new economic and strategic opportunities for China through shipping routes and natural resources.
Its inquiry is examining whether Britain can operate effectively in the region, how it should work with allies including Norway, Denmark and Canada, and whether the Armed Forces have the capabilities required for sustained activity in Arctic conditions.
Denmark and UK discuss closer cooperation
The Committee's visit also formed part of wider UK-Danish discussions about security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
On 10 September, members of the Defence Committee met Denmark's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee to discuss NATO's role, the evolving security environment and opportunities for closer cooperation between the two countries.
Danish parliamentarians stressed that Greenlandic and Faroese perspectives had to be included in decisions about Arctic security, while also underlining the importance of cooperation between allies.
NATO presence growing in Greenland
The visit comes amid a wider increase in NATO activity in Greenland.
More than 400 soldiers from 11 NATO countries recently took part in Exercise Arctic Shield, training in Greenland's demanding terrain and developing experience in Arctic operations.
The UK has also already taken part in reconnaissance activity linked to Danish-led exercises in Greenland, while ministers have said Britain regularly contributes surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft to NATO deterrence activity in the High North.
Committee preparing recommendations
The Defence Committee has already taken evidence from academics, security experts and Ministry of Defence officials as part of the inquiry. Its final ministerial evidence session was held in July, with Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones among those questioned.
The Committee is expected to use the evidence gathered, together with its visits to allies and partners, to make recommendations on Britain's future defence posture in the High North.
For Dhesi, Greenland's importance is no longer a distant strategic issue. It sits at the centre of a changing Arctic security environment in which Britain, Denmark, NATO and other partners will need to work increasingly closely to deter threats and protect shared interests.
