An event focused on how to deter Russia in the High North brought together U.S. and Norwegian armed forces representatives in Washington DC last week. The round-table, organized by the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute focused on Russia’s increasing prioritization of the Arctic region and how the U.S. and its partners, especially Norway, can deter Russian aggression in the region.
“Russia challenges Arctic stability,” said Vice Admiral Dan Dwyer, commander, U.S. Second Fleet.
In July of 2022 Russia released its new Maritime Doctrine prioritizing the Arctic as its most important maritime direction pledging to protect these Waters ‘by all means’. This includes increased attention on the Arctic littoral as well as the introduction of new missile capabilities to focus on its bastion of the Northern Fleet.
“Now this is very important: prior to the July 2022 announcement the Arctic was their number three priority where the Atlantic was their number one priority. Now Russia has realized that the Arctic is the key to their economy and to their defense as they see the receding of the Arctic ice,” continued Dwyer. […]
The country’s anti-access and access denial capabilities extend from the Arctic to the Baltics and the GIUK gap (Greenland-Iceland-UK), he elaborated. Assets include the S-400 missile system, long range precision guided strike weapons, especially focused on and near the Kola Peninsula just kilometers from Norway’s border with Russia.
“So there is a lot of firepower up in that region; the NATO Northern flank with Norway, Sweden, and Finland and partnership capabilities and integration are essential,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Läs artikel