OREANDA-NEWS  The US Department of Defense has published an updated strategy for the Arctic.

"Major geopolitical changes, as well as the growing effects of climate change create the need to develop new strategic approaches to the Arctic," the document says. Among the changes on the world stage are the Russian special operation in Ukraine, the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, as well as the expansion of cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.

The Pentagon noted that the Arctic is turning into a platform for "strategic competition" and the United States, together with its allies and partners, "must be ready to respond to this challenge together." According to the document, Washington is concerned about the strengthening cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in this region, Russia's growing capabilities in the Arctic, "which potentially pose a threat to the territory of the United States and allies," as well as climate problems.

"The Arctic can survive the first summer without ice by 2030, and the loss of ice will lead to the revival of Arctic sea routes and increase the availability of underwater resources. An increase in human activity, in turn, will increase the risks of accidents, miscalculations and deterioration of the environmental situation," the document says. The Pentagon also claims that the United States is interested in a peaceful, stable Arctic and sees this region as a zone of cooperation. At the same time, Washington intends to conduct both independent and international military exercises there to demonstrate its combat capability and interoperability. The United States plans to work with its partners and allies in the Arctic, as well as industrial companies and local Alaskan tribes to strengthen local deterrence forces. According to the strategy, this is necessary to improve monitoring and response capabilities, taking into account the requirements of the US National Defense Strategy.

In addition, the Pentagon intends to improve understanding of the operational environment in the Arctic by investing in detection devices, intelligence activities and information exchange. We are also talking about the creation of more than 250 multi-purpose combat aircraft for operations in this region by 2030. In addition, the US Department of Defense intends to use new space-based missile attack surveillance and warning systems to combat threats in the Arctic.