Pentagon in the Arctic. Statements, plans and challenges
Largest mineral reserves, profitable shipping routes and other factors make the Arctic extremely interesting for many countries. Together with other states, the United States seeks to develop the region. To ensure the safety of economic and other activities in the polar latitudes, Washington intends to take measures of a military nature. With their help, it is planned to increase the capacity of the armed forces to work in the region.
The forthcoming confrontation of large states in the Arctic has long been a topic of active discussion and is sometimes brought to the highest level. High-ranking officials from Washington regularly raise this topic and make very interesting statements.
For example, in May of this year, Adviser to the President of the United States, John Bolton, speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Coast Guard Academy, called on young officers to defy Russia's growing influence. In addition, they will have to respond to Chinese plans. J. Bolton also recalled that Washington plans to provide a permanent and year-round military presence in the Arctic in order to maintain and improve its position.
In late June, American media reported curious plans. Pentagon structures are invited to examine the current state of affairs and develop a program for the construction of a new seaport in the Arctic zone. In the future, this program should lead to the emergence of a naval base, through which the US Navy will be able to influence the situation in the Arctic. However, the deadlines for the completion of such construction are not specified, and there is every reason to believe that the port will appear only in the distant future.
In parallel, modernization of support structures is carried out. So, a few days ago, the company Northrop Grumman received a Pentagon contract worth 82 million dollars, providing for the modernization of the armed forces satellite constellation. The agreement requires an update of the communications spacecraft grouping, as well as, upon receiving additional instructions, launch two more. Due to this, a larger system like CASP will be created, capable of providing communication and control in the Arctic.
Recent statements and plans of the American military and political leadership have two main reasons. First, the United States plans to maintain its leading position throughout the world, including in northern latitudes. The second factor is insufficient capacity to implement such plans in this region. The potential of the Pentagon in the Arctic region is limited, and to obtain the required capabilities it is necessary to take certain measures. Some of these steps are already being taken that the real consequences of them will appear later.
In the context of actions in the Far North, the air force feels best. In the northern regions of the United States and friendly countries there are a lot of airfields suitable for basing tactical and strategic air force aircraft. Independently and in cooperation with other combat arms of the Air Force, they are able to defend specified areas of airspace or strike, including at remote targets. However, service on the northern airfields presents a certain complexity for the personnel and the material part.
The most important tool in the struggle for the Arctic should be the naval forces, but their potential is limited by objective factors and difficulties. First of all, effective work fleet ice is interfering, and so far this problem remains unresolved. Currently, the Coast Guard has only two heavy-class icebreakers capable of navigating large warships. Not so long ago, the restoration of the icebreaking fleet began, but the first ship of the new project will not be operational in a few years.
The submarine forces of the US Navy also face problems in northern latitudes, but they are not critical. Submarines have repeatedly proved their ability to work under multi-year ice with the ascent and the solution of combat missions. Thus, the US submarines operating in the North are currently more dangerous than surface ships. With the implementation of all current plans, the backlog of surface forces will be reduced, and the Navy will be able to fully operate in remote regions.
The ground forces and the Marine Corps are also preparing for service in the Arctic. Various units and units undergo the necessary training, as well as participate in American and international exercises. At the same time, there are certain problems in the material sphere. Thus, units operating in the Arctic have a minimum of specialized equipment - in contrast to the armies of friendly northern countries or the likely enemy in Russia.
The Ground Forces, the International Maritime Commission, the Air Force, and the US Navy regularly conduct various exercises in the Arctic region, both independently and in cooperation with friendly countries. Such events are generally recognized as successful, but according to the results of each of them, a list of measures necessary for improving combat capability in difficult northern conditions appears.
In the planned opposition in the Arctic, Russia should become the main opponent of the USA. It is her activity in the region that is the official and formal pretext for strengthening the armed forces in the north. Indeed, the Russian army in recent years has done quite a lot to return to the Far North and restore defense in this region. Given the current plans of Moscow, it is easy to understand what the Pentagon will have to face.
The Russian Armed Forces in the Arctic are represented by the Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command. Surface and submarine forces, coastal forces and naval aviation, as well as some formations from the Central and Eastern military districts, are designed to protect all the northern borders of Russia, from the Kola Peninsula to the Chukchi Peninsula. Also, the OSK area of responsibility includes islands in the seas of the Arctic Ocean.
In recent years, new bases for various purposes have been built on the coast and on the islands, designed to monitor the situation and direct combat work in the region. Also in the interests of the "Arctic troops" are developed specialized samples of weapons and equipment.
The development of the Arctic grouping of troops continues with all available methods. As a result, in the foreseeable future, the defense of the northern frontiers will be strengthened, which in a known way will impede the activities of a potential enemy.
A few years ago, Russia began to restore its grouping of armed forces in the Far North, and these actions were cause for concern by the United States. Seeing the results of Russian activities in the region, Washington is forced to launch its own programs and projects of the same purpose. Their results can be observed in a few years.
Obviously, in the current situation, Russia has certain advantages in the Arctic, especially in the nearby seas. The USS Northern Fleet and other formations are capable of responding to current and prospective threats and excluding effective military activities of a potential enemy in the region. For this there is all the necessary hardware and infrastructure, the development of which, moreover, continues.
The Pentagon and other structures still have to catch up with the likely enemy in Russia. Another likely adversary, China, is still in a position to catch up. Thus, in the fight for the Arctic, the United States will have to take part in a very specific race, starting from a disadvantageous position and having two competitors.
However, the United States does not intend to abandon its plans for the region and take the necessary measures. Troops are being trained, new ships and vessels are being built, and new sites for new naval bases are being searched for. These measures in the distant future should lead to a significant increase in the combat capability of the American armed forces under special conditions. However, Russia and China will not be mere observers and will also continue the development of their armies. What this will lead to is a big question. However, it is obvious that the standoff in the Arctic region will increase.
Words and Plans
The forthcoming confrontation of large states in the Arctic has long been a topic of active discussion and is sometimes brought to the highest level. High-ranking officials from Washington regularly raise this topic and make very interesting statements.
For example, in May of this year, Adviser to the President of the United States, John Bolton, speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Coast Guard Academy, called on young officers to defy Russia's growing influence. In addition, they will have to respond to Chinese plans. J. Bolton also recalled that Washington plans to provide a permanent and year-round military presence in the Arctic in order to maintain and improve its position.
In late June, American media reported curious plans. Pentagon structures are invited to examine the current state of affairs and develop a program for the construction of a new seaport in the Arctic zone. In the future, this program should lead to the emergence of a naval base, through which the US Navy will be able to influence the situation in the Arctic. However, the deadlines for the completion of such construction are not specified, and there is every reason to believe that the port will appear only in the distant future.
In parallel, modernization of support structures is carried out. So, a few days ago, the company Northrop Grumman received a Pentagon contract worth 82 million dollars, providing for the modernization of the armed forces satellite constellation. The agreement requires an update of the communications spacecraft grouping, as well as, upon receiving additional instructions, launch two more. Due to this, a larger system like CASP will be created, capable of providing communication and control in the Arctic.
Northern difficulties
Recent statements and plans of the American military and political leadership have two main reasons. First, the United States plans to maintain its leading position throughout the world, including in northern latitudes. The second factor is insufficient capacity to implement such plans in this region. The potential of the Pentagon in the Arctic region is limited, and to obtain the required capabilities it is necessary to take certain measures. Some of these steps are already being taken that the real consequences of them will appear later.
In the context of actions in the Far North, the air force feels best. In the northern regions of the United States and friendly countries there are a lot of airfields suitable for basing tactical and strategic air force aircraft. Independently and in cooperation with other combat arms of the Air Force, they are able to defend specified areas of airspace or strike, including at remote targets. However, service on the northern airfields presents a certain complexity for the personnel and the material part.
The most important tool in the struggle for the Arctic should be the naval forces, but their potential is limited by objective factors and difficulties. First of all, effective work fleet ice is interfering, and so far this problem remains unresolved. Currently, the Coast Guard has only two heavy-class icebreakers capable of navigating large warships. Not so long ago, the restoration of the icebreaking fleet began, but the first ship of the new project will not be operational in a few years.
The submarine forces of the US Navy also face problems in northern latitudes, but they are not critical. Submarines have repeatedly proved their ability to work under multi-year ice with the ascent and the solution of combat missions. Thus, the US submarines operating in the North are currently more dangerous than surface ships. With the implementation of all current plans, the backlog of surface forces will be reduced, and the Navy will be able to fully operate in remote regions.
The ground forces and the Marine Corps are also preparing for service in the Arctic. Various units and units undergo the necessary training, as well as participate in American and international exercises. At the same time, there are certain problems in the material sphere. Thus, units operating in the Arctic have a minimum of specialized equipment - in contrast to the armies of friendly northern countries or the likely enemy in Russia.
The Ground Forces, the International Maritime Commission, the Air Force, and the US Navy regularly conduct various exercises in the Arctic region, both independently and in cooperation with friendly countries. Such events are generally recognized as successful, but according to the results of each of them, a list of measures necessary for improving combat capability in difficult northern conditions appears.
Likely opponent
In the planned opposition in the Arctic, Russia should become the main opponent of the USA. It is her activity in the region that is the official and formal pretext for strengthening the armed forces in the north. Indeed, the Russian army in recent years has done quite a lot to return to the Far North and restore defense in this region. Given the current plans of Moscow, it is easy to understand what the Pentagon will have to face.
The Russian Armed Forces in the Arctic are represented by the Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command. Surface and submarine forces, coastal forces and naval aviation, as well as some formations from the Central and Eastern military districts, are designed to protect all the northern borders of Russia, from the Kola Peninsula to the Chukchi Peninsula. Also, the OSK area of responsibility includes islands in the seas of the Arctic Ocean.
In recent years, new bases for various purposes have been built on the coast and on the islands, designed to monitor the situation and direct combat work in the region. Also in the interests of the "Arctic troops" are developed specialized samples of weapons and equipment.
The development of the Arctic grouping of troops continues with all available methods. As a result, in the foreseeable future, the defense of the northern frontiers will be strengthened, which in a known way will impede the activities of a potential enemy.
Future issues
A few years ago, Russia began to restore its grouping of armed forces in the Far North, and these actions were cause for concern by the United States. Seeing the results of Russian activities in the region, Washington is forced to launch its own programs and projects of the same purpose. Their results can be observed in a few years.
Obviously, in the current situation, Russia has certain advantages in the Arctic, especially in the nearby seas. The USS Northern Fleet and other formations are capable of responding to current and prospective threats and excluding effective military activities of a potential enemy in the region. For this there is all the necessary hardware and infrastructure, the development of which, moreover, continues.
The Pentagon and other structures still have to catch up with the likely enemy in Russia. Another likely adversary, China, is still in a position to catch up. Thus, in the fight for the Arctic, the United States will have to take part in a very specific race, starting from a disadvantageous position and having two competitors.
However, the United States does not intend to abandon its plans for the region and take the necessary measures. Troops are being trained, new ships and vessels are being built, and new sites for new naval bases are being searched for. These measures in the distant future should lead to a significant increase in the combat capability of the American armed forces under special conditions. However, Russia and China will not be mere observers and will also continue the development of their armies. What this will lead to is a big question. However, it is obvious that the standoff in the Arctic region will increase.
- Ryabov Kirill
- US Department of Defense, NASA
Information