The UK Prime Minister announced plans to send an aircraft carrier fleet to the Arctic Ocean, affirming the United Kingdom’s commitment to NATO Article 5 and stating that European nations must be ready to fight and stand on their own feet.
Foreign news agencies reported that Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, 14 Feb 2026 GMT+7, that his country will deploy an aircraft carrier fleet with fighter jets to the Arctic Ocean this year to demonstrate Britain’s commitment to its allies.
“Today, I can announce that the United Kingdom will send our aircraft carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and the High North region this year, led by HMS Prince of Wales. This will be conducted in cooperation with the United States, Canada, and other NATO allies, as a strong demonstration of our commitment to Euro-Atlantic security,” he said.
This recent move follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement earlier this year that the United States sought to acquire Greenland, the world’s largest island and an autonomous territory of Denmark, amid European opposition that has strained relations between the two sides.
Trump claimed he did not believe Denmark was adequately protecting Greenland from threats posed by Russia and China, even threatening to impose tariffs on imports from European countries opposing his plan until the island’s sale was completed.
Although the US President later withdrew the threat and confirmed there would be no military action to seize Greenland, geopolitical tensions remain increasingly risky.
Russia continues its conflict in Ukraine, which the UK Prime Minister described as a “major strategic blunder.” He also pledged to uphold NATO Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members.
“Therefore, I want to tell all NATO members that our commitment to Article 5 is deeper than ever, and there is no doubt that if called upon, the United Kingdom will come to your aid today,” Sir Starmer said.
If Article 5 is invoked, it means thousands of British personnel could be sent to fight on the front lines, but Sir Starmer emphasized, “We must be ready to fight and do everything to protect our people, values, and way of life.”
“As Europeans, we must stand on our own feet,” he added. “That means being braver, putting aside petty politics and short-term concerns, and working together to build a stronger Europe and a more European NATO.”
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Source:sky