The US Air Force and Space Force are laying out their first Arctic strategy, predicting a deeper military focus on the region going forward,with space operations chief Gen. John Raymond saying the Arctic is “key terrain” for them.
To that end, the plan is to hold even more wargames in the Arctic, and courting more allies for fighting in the region. In general, there will be more attention given to the operation in the area. The expectation is that this is their most important region.
Previous reports on the Arctic emphasized the importance of natural resources, but in reality officials say a lot of what matters is logistics. US attacks on Russia, China, or North Korea would be more direct with the Arctic.
Attacking those nations was emphasized by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who says that US control of the area would “deter” Russia and China from becoming more active. Pompeo commented in a visit to Denmark, emphasizing the regional importance.
Russia has a deep presence in the Arctic, and China is also looking to get icebreakers into the region, seeing global warming as potentially opening new trade routes.
Sounds good. Global warming will not happen fast enough to allow for “Freedom of Navigation” in most of the year frozen ocean.
US has no icebreakers at present (the one, Polar Star is being serviced by spare parts from cannibalized one). None on nuclear power. The new ones being built are on fossil fuel as well. If caught in ice, and out of fuel — it may be tough getting someone to help.
“US has no icebreakers at present (the one, Polar Star is being serviced by spare parts from cannibalized one).”
If the Polar Star is out of service at the moment, that leaves the US Coast Guard with two icebreakers (the Healy and the Mackinaw), the National Science Foundation with three (the Palmer, the Gould, and the Skiluliaq), and Edison Chouest Offshore with one (the Aiviq).
That’s not nearly as many as the Russians have, but it also doesn’t count the ones that US “allies” have.
Well, I thought we are talking Arctic Ocean. I did not mention any of those research and other vessels – they are nowhere near the capability needed for Arctic. The Northern Route ices up to 6 feet, and center up to 8 feet.
Polar Star is the strongest, even though it is a medium icebreaker.
But none — including our allies — make nuclear powered icebreakers. And in the Arctic environment it will not be good idea to run out of fuel. There is also a need for versatility, shallows, river estuaries, as well as deep waters.
The point I am making is — why does US care to boast about interfering with shipping. And to do that — when we clearly have no capacity to do that? And the new ones being built are still on fossil fuel. What is the point of this most ridiculous boasting?
What makes you think icebreakers are required to interfere with shipping? Have you never heard of airplanes? Mines? Submarines?
Does Trump ever listen to what Pompeo says? Pompeo IS Bolton.
Just another direction to suck money into the militant maw.
Pompeo is aggressively working for to sour the good relations between the arctic countries who are also NAT0 members and Russia.
For decades they have managed to meet, create working groups and agree to peaceful solutions.
Russia has invited others to use the northern sea route for trade and science
with the help of the Russian ice breaker fleet, also many stations/harbour along the route have been build.
The transport time to and from Asia, to EU will be cut in half, less time and fuel.
The US is pissed off because it can`t dictate the terms in the Arctics, especially the northern sea route witch goes through Russian territory….and the only country with a credible ice breaker fleet, Russia can dictate the terms.
No US warships to force Freedom of navigation crap. Any warship that wants to sail along the northern sea route ( with Russian ice breaker help ) must apply for permission 5 weeks beforehand…..Priceless
This is not the South China sea.
Occasionally, the military men have the guts to tell politicians the truth. In a congressional hearing, captain of the Polar Star did not appreciate the suggestion to conduct freedom of navigation patrols in Arctic. He said that he does not fancy having to call a Russian icebreaker to rescue him.
Excatly, without a icebreaker a ship would not get far anyway.
The US has a 50 year old icebreaker and in bad shape, the US will have build a new one by 2029
The US has thousands of warships, but only one old icebreaker.
trump has installed a consulate in Greenland, irritating their colony Denmark….Russia has already developed much of the arctic w scientific stations, airfields, advanced military defenses, resource exploration….if US vessels wish to traverse in Russian waters they should be prepared to pay, or travel longer routes….I doubt that the f 35 can bring much seal meat from greenland