Russia To Beef Up Military Presence In Arctic
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Just days after making its first shipment of oil from the region, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has vowed to create a united system of naval bases for ships and next-generation submarines in the Arctic, calling on the government to provide full state funding.
Speaking at a meeting of his Security Council in the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin emphasized the need to protect their interests in the Arctic, warning that other countries were also eager to draw out a slice of the region.
Just days after making its first shipment of oil from the region, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has vowed to create a united system of naval bases for ships and next-generation submarines in the Arctic, calling on the government to provide full state funding.
Speaking at a meeting of his Security Council in the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin emphasized the need to protect their interests in the Arctic, warning that other countries were also eager to draw out a slice of the region.
“More often the interests of the Arctic powers, and not only them, cross here – countries that are far away from this region are also expressing interest (in the Arctic),” he said, as cited by Reuters.
“In these conditions we must take additional measures not to fall behind our partners, to keep our influence in the region and in some aspects be ahead of our partners.”
The United States, Denmark and Norway are among the countries pressing for access to what they consider their fair share of the Arctic’s massive oil and natural gas reserves.
Last year, Putin ordered the reopening of a Soviet-era Arctic military base in the Novosibirsk Islands, two decades after it was first abandoned, with 10 warships and four nuclear-powered ice breakers having since been sent there in a demonstration of force.
[quote]”Over decades, step by step, Russia has built up, strengthened its positions in the Arctic,” said Putin. “And our goal is not only to regain them, but also to qualitatively strengthen them.”[/quote]Related: Russia Reopens Soviet-Era Arctic Naval Base To “Control” New Shipping Route
The melting Arctic ice cap has opened new shipping routes from Asia to Europe; and have made the exploration for resources in the region a real prospect. Approximately 30 percent of the world’s undiscovered natural gas and 15 percent of its oil are believed to lie in the Arctic.
Last week Russia loaded its first oil tanker at the Prirazlomnaya platform in the Arctic. The area is seen by Moscow as a source of fuel that can gradually replace output from its depleting West Siberian fields.
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Putin has suggested creating a new state agency that will be focused on implementing Russian policy in the Arctic and to improve the quality of governance and decision-making in this area.
“We do not need a bulky bureaucratic body, but a flexible operational structure, which will help better coordinate the activities of ministries and departments, regions and businesses,” he said, as cited by Russia Today.
“At the same time, we should strengthen the military infrastructure. Specifically, I’m referring to the creation of a united system of naval bases for ships and next-generation submarines in our part of the Arctic,” he added.
