"A first team of French service members is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days with land, air, and maritime assets," Macron told troops during a speech to start the new year.

"France and the Europeans must continue to be present wherever their interests are threatened -- without escalation, but uncompromising when it comes to respect for territorial sovereignty," he added.

Germany said earlier Thursday the European mission to Greenland aimed "to explore options for ensuring security in light of Russian and Chinese threats in the Arctic".

Macron spoke as Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II grinds on for a fourth year in Ukraine after Russia invaded, and the United States has also refused to rule out military strikes in Iran over a violent crackdown on protesters.

France needed to continue to boost its defence capabilities, he said, in a world witnessing "the return of destabilising powers" including "Russia on European soil" and Iran in the Middle East, as well as "a new colonialism at work among a few".

He said 36 billion euros ($41 billion) would be added the defence budget until 2030, on top of 413 billion euros already allocated for the 2024-2030 period.

"To remain free, you must be feared. To be feared, you must be powerful," he said. "And to be powerful in this brutal world, you have to move faster and hit harder."