The Department of Defense updates its plans for an Arctic defense strategy
…the Pentagon announces a new strategy to defend US interests in the Arctic. Learn how the military plans to operate in the far north…
…As global temperatures warm and new areas of navigation open up in the far north, the Arctic has become an area of increased military competition in recent years. Russia, China and a slew on internationally allied countries, including the US, Canada, and partner nations like Norway and Finland, are all jockeying for strategic supremacy as the Arctic opens up. But what’s the US strategy? The Pentagon recently released an updated plan for its Arctic strategy, and Military Times Ground Warfare editor Todd South came by to explain how it will work.
“The Pentagon recently announced an update to its Arctic strategy, the first major revision since it’s last strategy published in 2019. Since then, each of the military services have taken an Arctic focus effort, including establishing new units, advanced training, upgrading gear and bulking up existing installations and bases with new technology. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that the strategy update focuses on improving sensors for domain awareness, supporting military readiness exercises in the region, and upgrading and adding cold weather gear for a variety of military units and missions.”
(Kathleen Hicks) “The Arctic region of the United States is critical for the defense of our homeland, the protection of US national sovereignty, and the preservation of our defense treaty commitments. It’s home to significant defense infrastructure, important for homeland defense and projecting global power. Radar and sensors in Alaska detect threats to the homeland and Alaska’s strategic location places it at the crossroads between the Indo-Pacific and Europe.”
(Todd South) “Driving much of the strategy focus for the Defense Department has the been the increase in activity by both China and Russia in the Arctic. While Russia has long held the most territory in the Arctic, China has increasingly partnered with Russia for military operations in the region and in investing in new technology to operate in the Arctic. For example, China possesses three icebreaker research ships which they have used to test underwater drones and polar capable aircraft in the Arctic. In 2020 US Alaska Command reported they had intercepted more Russian military aircraft than at any other time since the Cold War ended in 1989. Going back to 2021 the Russian military showcased it’s ability to maneuver in the area, sending three submarines to the North Pole with the capacity to carry 48 ballistic missiles. Russian ground troops and fighter jets met the subs at the pole…”
Listen and watch the full eight minute video segment here.
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