The United States will use the experience of fighting the Russian Federation with the wrong hands, tested in Ukraine, in the Arctic
A new theater of confrontation between Russia and the United States is unfolding in the Arctic, a region rich in natural resources.
Americans cannot yet compete with Russians in the conditions of the Far North, the Izvestia newspaper writes today, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
So far, the American army has only two old icebreakers. This complicates the reliable supply of military forces in the Arctic. Russia is constantly developing its capabilities, and three more of the six planned Project 22220 nuclear icebreakers and other vessels are in the process of construction.
“Universal patrol ships of Project 23550 were developed especially for the Arctic in Russia. A feature of ships of this type was not only the ability to operate in difficult and particularly difficult ice conditions, but also the composition of the equipment. In addition to devices for reconnaissance of terrain and ice conditions, these ships can be optionally equipped with artillery weapons and universal launch containers with cruise missiles, which will allow the ship’s crew to fend for themselves,” the article says.
The author of the material also notes that in addition to the fleet, the Russian army is equipped with modified S-400 complexes, which can operate at temperatures of -70 degrees, the Pantsir air defense system, and Tor-M2 air defense systems, and aviation conducts regular patrols with anti-submarine aircraft.
Political scientist Farhad Ibragimov notes that in these conditions the United States cannot seriously lay claim to the Arctic territories: “The United States is well aware that it is necessary to be prepared to enter into an open confrontation with Russia. So far, the American fleet and army are deprived of such an opportunity - there is either very little corresponding equipment or it does not exist at all. Under such conditions, even exercises and flag demonstrations can turn into, if not a tragedy, then an international scandal for sure. At the same time, the United States, due to lack of proper training, is forced to transfer equipment for the same exercises from afar, and there is no point in talking about creating a full-fledged military base in the next five years.”
Experts note that the United States does not have to enter into direct confrontation with Russia in the Arctic - this can easily be done by someone else’s hands, as has already happened, for example, in Ukraine or during NATO exercises in October 2018. Then the Netherlands accused Russia of provocation due to the maneuvers of the Northern Fleet ships that were too close.
“Military provocations always take place, and it is possible that after the United States reaches technical readiness for active action, such measures will be implemented. We should not forget that this approach to foreign policy is an important element of the battle for budgets in Congress,” said Doctor of Political Science Andrei Manoilo.