- The United States lags behind Russia in the number of icebreakers available for Arctic operations.
- Northcom commander Gen. Guyot warned that icebreaker “gaps” would limit maneuverability in the area.
- The United States is increasing its investment in training in the Arctic as foreign threats increase.
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The US does not have enough icebreakers to compete in the Arctic like Russia, which has a much larger fleet, a US military commander has warned.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Giroux, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, said Thursday that the United States currently has only one large icebreaker for Arctic operations. Stated. Meanwhile, around 40 are available in Russia.
“I appreciate that the Coast Guard is acquiring more icebreakers, but even with that, we will be significantly outnumbered,” Guyot said at a U.S. Armed Services Committee hearing. I guess so,” he said. “That would limit our freedom of movement in that area.”
Icebreakers have stronger hulls, very specific shapes, and greater power to effectively break through thick ice that blocks access to strategic waterways and clears the way for other ships. It is a special purpose ship designed for..
The largest US icebreaker available is the USCGC Polar Star, followed by the medium icebreaker Healy. Another ship has been inactive for years.
Sen. Angus King of Maine expressed concern about “gaps” and shortages of icebreakers during a hearing Thursday, saying the U.S. military is not improving its defense posture in the Arctic as Russia increases its military presence in the region. He urged people not to wait to build.
For the senator, not having enough icebreakers is as counterproductive as not having roads to get where you need to go.
Russia has nuclear-powered icebreakers called Arktika and Civil. characteristic as The world’s largest and most powerful icebreaker.
This is not the first time alarm bells have been sounded over the icebreaker shortage. Last fall, the U.S. had a notable gap in icebreakers, and lawmakers decided that investing in the Coast Guard was critical to maintaining momentum in the Arctic.
“We need to work to ensure that we close the icebreaker gap, which is so large that even China’s icebreaker capacity will exceed ours by 2025,” Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska said at the time. It’s moving at pace,” he said. It’s not even an arctic nation. ”
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Gen. Peter W. Gauthier said last year that the Coast Guard has been asking for Arctic funding for more than 20 years, but the request has been delayed. The militarization of the Arctic is currently being discussed in the FY2025 budget proposal.
In addition to Russia becoming more assertive, China also shares Arctic aspirations.
The U.S. military is increasingly turning its attention to training in the Arctic as threats in the region increase. For example, the U.S. Navy SEALs recently conducted a training operation deep in the Arctic Circle, and the Army just recently completed extensive training in Alaska to prepare soldiers for war in harsh environments and sub-zero temperatures. .