Britain sends troops to the Arctic to confront Russia
British newspaper The Sun quoted the country's Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson as saying that the Ministry has developed a new strategy, which will deploy hundreds of soldiers to Norway to deal with the growing threat from Russia.
Russia has reopened bases that have been unused for years since the Soviet era and submarine activity has increased in the region, meaning Britain needs to act to protect its own interests, the UK Defence Secretary said.
The UK defence secretary fears that as the Arctic ice melts, Russia will try to seize land and increase its activities there. Climate change has also sparked a rush to tap oil reserves here and there.
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Britain is confident its Navy can confront Russia in the Arctic. |
Mr Williamson told the party conference in Birmingham: "As the ice melts, new shipping routes emerge and the importance of this region increases. Submarines from Lossiemouth will track Russian submarines. They will keep us safe and support our Nato allies."
Along with military hardware, Britain also plans to deploy more troops to this increasingly "hot" region. "We will step up training with our Norwegian friends, with 800 Royal Marines training in Norway," added Gavin Williamson.
In November, Britain will deploy 3,000 troops as part of a 40,000-strong NATO exercise here.
Mr Williamson said Russia was "increasing its military activity in the Arctic with more submarines operating under the ice and ambitions to build 100 military bases there. "In the Arctic, we must be ready and demonstrate that we are ready to deal with threats as they emerge," he said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously warned that the resource-rich Arctic region is attracting many countries and this situation could lead to a military confrontation for which Russia needs to prepare.
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Russian military strengthens protection of territory in the Arctic. |
According to Minister Shoigu, protecting Russia's interests in the Arctic region and actively developing this region remains the top priority of the Russian military. Today, the Arctic is becoming a place of strategic military interests and rich in resources that many countries are targeting. This increases the risk of military conflicts in the region. Mr. Shoigu also emphasized that Russia's Northern Fleet will continue to improve its combat capabilities to protect national interests here.
In early 2018, the Northern Fleet received the icebreaker Ilya Muromets and the supply ship Elbrus, and launched the Admiral Groshkov and the landing ship Ivan Gren in mid-year. Before the end of the year, the Northern Fleet will receive five new warships, 15 aircraft, and 62 radar systems.
According to Minister Shoigu, Russia will continue to build military bases in the Arctic and conduct more exercises in harsh conditions to ensure the soldiers' ability to react quickly.
Protecting interests in the Arctic was declared a top priority by Russia in its 2014 military doctrine. In early 2015, Minister Shoigu said that Russia would use military measures to protect its interests in the Arctic and considered this a policy to ensure “national security”.
