The Russian Navy will significantly expand its Arctic air patrols in 2018, taking advantage of new or upgraded bases in this increasingly strategic part of the world.
A press statement from Moscow’s Northern Fleet says that patrols involving Tu-142 and Il-38 aircraft will continue this year with a “significantly expanded” geographical scope, according to a report in the Independent Barents Observer.
The expanded flights will be supported by a polar airfield at Temp in the New Siberian Islands.
Russia has reportedly been busy constructing facilities at Nagurskoye airfield in Franz Josef Land, the Temp at the New Siberian Islands, Rogachevo in Novaya Zemlya and Naryan-Mar.
The Northern Fleet, which defends the country’s Arctic region, has said that the new Nagurskoye base will be equipped with a 2,500 meter long landing strip and a fleet of MiG-31s or Su-34s.
Upgrades will also be made at Arctic airfield sites in Vorkuta, Tiksi, Anadyr and Alykel.
Now that the North East Passage is becoming a viable trade route, the US will move to control it. The Russian move to defend its trade route is to be expected.
Trade routes belong to all who use trade.
The planes main roles will be search and rescue, in this treacherous part of the world.
More coast guard is not a bad thing at all.
Safety all round.
Thomas Daniel Kuhn sounds like you have just drunk a big glass of fake news there Buddy. No wonder you’re personally abusive.