The corresponding memorandum is published on the White House website.
The text says that the United States "will develop and implement an icebreaker fleet procurement program to ensure polar security," which will support the national interests of the United States in the Arctic and Antarctic.
The President instructed the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the US Coast Guard commandant, Pentagon chief, and Secretary of Energy, to study the comparative operational and financial benefits and risks of the polar icebreaker fleet, which consists of “at least three heavy-class icebreakers (PSC)”.
Earlier, First Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Michael Murphy said the Pentagon should respond to Russia's "growing" military presence in the Arctic.
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense Yuri Shvytkin commented on Murphy's words in an interview with RT.