Greenland is taking the Canadian Rangers as an example of how the semi-autonomous Arctic island could increase its military activities, with civilians actively involved.
Greenland’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, confirmed recently that the Canadian Rangers model — basically civilians on patrol, including on dog sleds or snow scooters — would be an excellent way to go for Greenland. Denmark, to which Greenland belongs, is said to like the idea as well.
Mobile forces
The Canadian Rangers are a sub-component of the Canadian Army Reserve who live and work in remote, isolated, and coastal regions of Canada. They provide light-equipped, self-sufficient mobile forces to support Canadian Armed Forces national security and public safety operations within Canada, according to the website of the government of Canada.
Red winter coats
The Canadian Rangers are about 4,800 people strong, with about a quarter of the force women, divided over 156 groups called Patrols. The Canadian Rangers do not wear a military uniform, but are known for their red winter coats.
If and when the ranger model is implemented for Greenland will be possibly be announced at a later date. | © 2026 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com. Featured photo: Sled dogs in the Greenland landscape (Photo: Markus Trienke (CC))