Danish F-35A Fighter Jets Demonstrate Arctic Combat Capability in Extreme-Cold NORAD Operations.

Danish F-35A fighter aircraft have conducted U.S. and Canadian NORAD air operations across the Arctic and North Atlantic with support from a French MRTT tanker, according to the Danish Armed Forces. The missions highlight allied readiness to operate fifth-generation fighters in extreme northern environments where range, sustainment, and coordination are critical.

The Danish Armed Forces confirmed on February 6, 2026, that Royal Danish Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters recently operated alongside a French Air and Space Force MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) during joint U.S. and Canadian air defense missions under NORAD command. The sorties were carried out as part of Operation Noble Defender, a recurring high-latitude exercise focused on validating combat readiness, interoperability, and sustained operations in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions, which place heavy demands on aircraft performance, logistics, and aircrew endurance.
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A Royal Danish Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jet in flight over the North Atlantic during Operation Noble Defender, conducting Arctic air surveillance under NORAD command. (Picture source: Danish MoD)

Over two weeks, Danish F-35As were exposed to severe cold, limited infrastructure, and long-range sortie profiles that reflect real-world Arctic contingencies. The deployment provided a rare operational test of the F-35 platform under conditions that stressed sensors, propulsion, and sustainment systems. Allied commanders described the mission as a critical proving ground for modern air combat capabilities in the High North.

The Danish contribution centered on multiple F-35A Lightning II fighter jets deployed forward to Keflavik Air Base in Iceland, a location that enables rapid access to Arctic airspace while imposing significant logistical and environmental challenges. From Keflavik, the F-35s conducted air policing and surveillance sorties over Iceland and the southeastern approaches to Greenland, areas that demand long endurance and reliable sensor performance in extreme weather. Danish pilots operated their aircraft alongside U.S. and Canadian fighters under NORAD command and control, validating data sharing and situational awareness provided by the F-35’s advanced radar, electro-optical sensors, and secure communications while operating in sub-zero temperatures and turbulent North Atlantic conditions.

The deployment comes as the Royal Danish Air Force continues the phased introduction of the F-35A into frontline service. Denmark has already received and declared operational more than a dozen F-35A aircraft as part of its planned fleet of 27 jets, with pilots, ground crews, and command elements now increasingly focused on expeditionary and high-latitude operations. Operation Noble Defender marked one of the most demanding operational uses of Danish F-35s to date, moving beyond national air policing into sustained multinational Arctic missions under NORAD command.

Operating fifth-generation aircraft in the Arctic places unique demands on both crews and machines. According to Army Recognition defense analysts, the F-35A’s design offers several technical advantages for high-latitude operations where temperatures can swing rapidly from extreme cold on the ground to significantly higher thermal loads during supersonic flight. The aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney F135 engine has demonstrated reliable cold-start performance, supported by integrated health-monitoring systems that enable maintainers to track engine behavior and component stress in low-temperature environments. This capability is critical at Arctic forward operating locations, where maintenance windows are narrow and environmental conditions are severe.

Army Recognition analysts also highlight the F-35A’s sensor fusion and mission systems as a force multiplier in Arctic conditions characterized by poor visibility, snow cover, and limited ground-based radar coverage. The AN/APG-81 AESA radar, combined with the Distributed Aperture System and Electro-Optical Targeting System, enables pilots to detect and track air contacts over long distances while maintaining a comprehensive situational picture even in degraded weather. In the Arctic, where visual cues are often unreliable and navigation can be challenging, this sensor integration reduces pilot workload. It enhances mission safety during extended patrols over open ocean and ice-covered terrain.

Thermal management and materials performance are additional factors assessed during the operation. The F-35A’s low-observable coatings and composite structures were exposed to prolonged cold soak on the ground, followed by rapid heating in flight. This cycle can accelerate wear in conventional aircraft. According to analysts familiar with the program, data collected during Arctic deployments contributes directly to refining sustainment practices and validating the aircraft’s durability for future high-latitude operations, including potential long-term deployments to Greenland and northern Norway.

Supporting the long-range operations of the Danish F-35s, a French Air and Space Force A330 MRTT provided aerial refueling, a key enabler for the sustained presence of fifth-generation fighters over the Arctic and North Atlantic. Tanker support allowed the F-35s to remain on station for extended periods despite the vast distances involved. One Danish Challenger transport aircraft also operated from Iceland, contributing to personnel movement and logistical flexibility in an environment where weather can rapidly disrupt air operations.

In parallel with the fighter missions, Denmark contributed a dedicated Search and Rescue capability from Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland, underscoring the risks associated with Arctic air operations. Challenger CL-604 aircraft were placed on alert to ensure immediate rescue readiness for U.S. and Canadian sorties launched from Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland. Danish defense officials emphasized that SAR coverage is an indispensable element of Arctic operations, where survival times are short, and response distances are long.

Operation Noble Defender is conducted annually under the leadership of the binational North American Aerospace Defense Command, which monitors and defends North American airspace. Beyond deterrence signaling, the operation allows allied air forces to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for operating advanced combat aircraft in extreme climates. Danish participation this year placed the F-35A at the core of those efforts, offering practical insight into how fifth-generation fighters can sustain persistent air defense and surveillance missions in the Arctic.

As strategic competition increasingly shifts toward the High North, Denmark’s deployment highlights the growing importance of fifth-generation air power in Arctic defense. The operational use of Danish F-35As in extreme cold validates not only the aircraft’s combat potential but also its technical resilience and adaptability. For NORAD and NATO planners, the lessons drawn from Operation Noble Defender reinforce the F-35A’s role as a cornerstone platform for Arctic air security at the northern edge of the Atlantic.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.