The Arctic, and possibly Antarctica, will very soon become the scene of fierce competition between major world powers, analysts predict. So Russia's resolve, despite economic difficulties, to continue to develop a fleet of powerful modern icebreakers, as stated by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at a meeting with deputy prime ministers, is more than appropriate. Big plans are very Russian. Especially in the harsh conditions of the Far North.
The prime minister attributed the construction of an advanced icebreaker fleet to major “scientific projects with a great technological and economic perspective,” capable of creating “unique goods or services, giving new interesting markets to potential investors”. That is, we are not talking about an abstract study of the inaccessible corners of the planet, albeit with a noble cognitive purpose, but about practical economic content. Everyone should feel the benefit.
Powerful icebreakers will finally allow Russia to fully play the geopolitical card - to capitalize on its unique position by launching a transit transport corridor between Asia and Europe. The President set the task to increase freight traffic through the Northern Sea Route (LNG) by including the development of this direction in the Comprehensive Plan for the Modernization and Expansion of the Main Infrastructure.
Not the Soviet five-year plan, of course, but something similar. Especially in terms of the rate of increase in freight traffic. For a decade, according to plan, it should grow five times (!). If a year ago the volume of traffic through the NSR amounted to quite a modest 17 million tons, then by 2028 all 118 million tons are expected. Giant gas carriers from Yamal, Chinese container ships with goods so much needed by Europeans will be led through the ice by Russian atomic beauties. And not at all for free.
A trial caravan of Chinese ships had already passed the Ice Silk Road once. And well. So the prospects are huge. Who better than the prime minister, who has been responsible for replenishing the treasury for a long time, should understand this. Although Russia withstood the blow of the pandemic better than many other countries, the crisis is a crisis, and in the coming years it will not spare anyone. In the new reality, getting new sources of resources is not only a dream, but also a vital task.
At the end of May, the laying of the next nuclear icebreaker Yakutia of the famous project 22220 took place. In total, five such ships will be built. The leading icebreaker “Arktika” will be launched already this fall. In general, by 2035 (Putin demanded) we will have 13 heavy icebreakers, nine of which are nuclear.
Among them are three vessels of the Leader type, which are twice as powerful as the Arctic. They will be able to break the ice up to 4.3 m thick. A terrible silishka.
So the crisis is not a crisis, and Russia is not going to abandon the accelerated development of the Arctic. A good incentive not to sleep here is the plans of our eternal rival - America. The energetic Donald Trump set the task until 2029 to implement a program to build his own icebreaking fleet. Vessels will be needed for exploration and mining, laying cables and, of course, for the implementation of military purposes. As without it.
Interestingly, the Trump memorandum says he intends to ensure a permanent US presence not only in the Arctic, but also at the South Pole. But Antarctica is no man's land. Well, the scope of the claims of the American president is known. I remember he wanted to colonize the moon. Russia should anticipate and prepare for the negative scenario. We may have to defend the neutral status of the continent. Icebreakers to the rescue.
True, while the US icebreaker fleet is a children's version of the Russian one. Heavy Polar Star, medium Healy and five more light, unsuitable for year-round polar navigation. In addition, they are all diesel. The Americans have never had nuclear-powered icebreakers, as in the USSR, and now in Russia. A year ago, the Pentagon even refused the exercises planned in the Arctic, fearing that the Polar Star would freeze in ice and Washington would have to ask Moscow for help. That would be embarrassing.
Losing to Russia, the USA is inferior in terms of the icebreaker fleet to even completely non-Arctic China. He has four modern icebreakers and plans to build two more heavy ones. How Beijing implements what is planned is known from its aircraft carrier construction program. So Russia with its new icebreakers, and even with the support of China, will be able to dominate the Arctic for a very long time. If not always. You just need to push a little.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher .