Russia's interests in the Arctic go beyond the economic and
military advantages offered by the Northern Sea Route. The region is rich in
minerals, wildlife, fish, and other natural resources. Some estimates claim
that 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil reserves and almost one-third
of the world's undiscovered natural gas reserves are located in the Arctic
region. For now, the Arctic region is an area of low conflict, and it is in
everyone's interest to keep it that way. Although the security challenges
currently faced in the Arctic are not military in nature, there is still a
requirement for military capability in the region that can support civilian
authorities. So it should be no surprise that like Russia, other Arctic
countries deploy military assets into the region. Even so, Russia has taken
steps to increase military capability in the region that seems to be beyond the
scope of supporting civilian operations.
Russia's primary military focus in the Arctic is in the
maritime sphere. New Russian naval doctrine calls for Russia to increase its
maritime presence in the Arctic. Already, Russia's Northern Fleet, which is based
in the Arctic, counts for two-thirds of the Russian navy. There will be a
significant increase of Russian ground troops based in the region too. Over the
next few years two new so-called Arctic brigades will be permanently based
above the Arctic Circle, and the current regiment of marines assigned to the
Northern Fleet will increase by one-third. Russia has plans to build 13
airfields as well as 10 radar posts along the course of the Northern Sea Route.
Most of these airfields will be refurbished Soviet era bases, but others will
be new.
Nationalism is on the rise in Russia, Putin's Arctic
strategy is popular among the population.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/12/russia-arctic-opportunity-2014121854828947405.html
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