Storis (WAGB 21)

[william]

On August 10, we’ll commission the Storis (WAGB 21), our first polar icebreaker in 25+ years. The Storis will bolster the Coast Guard’s ability to control, secure, and defend the U.S. border around Alaska and maritime approaches in the Arctic.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1953999337307943064

 

[william]

Unprecedented Chinese Icebreaker Deployment Off Alaska Being Monitored By U.S.​

The U.S. military and Coast Guard are monitoring the simultaneous appearance of five Chinese icebreaking vessels in the Arctic region near Alaska. That unprecedented presence represents two and a half times the number of icebreakers currently capable of being operated in the entire Arctic region by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Chinese icebreakers, which include a number of research-focused types, are being monitored by North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).

Though China is nearly 2,000 miles from the Arctic, it declared itself a near-Arctic nation in a 2018 whitepaper dubbing its interest in the region the “Polar Silk Road” economic initiative. The Chinese Navy (PLAN) is increasing its activities in the Arctic as part of a broader strategy of expanding its influence.

Though Russia has dozens of icebreakers and China at least these five, the U.S. operates only two suitable for the Arctic – the Polar Star and the Healy. Of those, only the Polar Star is rated as a heavy icebreaker, displacing some 13,840 tons with a full load. However, only the Healy is currently operating in the Arctic, according to the Coast Guard.

A third icebreaker, the Storis, is scheduled to be commissioned into the Coast Guard Aug. 10, according to the Coast Guard. It was originally a vessel called the Aiviq, which the Coast Guard bought on the open market and modified. Immediately following the commissioning, Storis will depart on patrol in the Coast Guard Arctic District area of operations.

Meanwhile, though China and Russia have heavily invested in icebreakers, the U.S. has not built a new one in about 50 years and efforts to add to the fleet have been plagued by delays. With that in mind, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a large buildup of America’s icebreaking fleet.

Trump’s massive tax and spending bill includes $4.3 billion for up to three new heavy Coast Guard Polar Security Cutters, $3.5 billion for medium Arctic Security Cutters, according to the Coast Guard.

In January, Trump told reporters he wanted 40 new icebreakers.

Construction of the first Polar Security Cutter (PSC) heavy icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard got underway late last year. The first of these new icebreakers was originally supposed to have been delivered this in 2024 and now may not arrive until 2029.

To help close the yawning icebreaker gap, the U.S., Canada and Finland created a resource-pooling plan last year to help meet a projected demand for as many as 90 of these vessels among allied nations over the next decade. The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE Pact, seeks to significantly boost shipbuilding by its signatories. The three-pronged agreement calls for enhanced trilateral information exchange, collaboration on workforce development, and an invitation to allies and partners to purchase icebreakers built in American, Canadian, or Finnish shipyards.

Last month, four major shipbuilders from those three countries announced a partnership to build new icebreakers in the U.S.

The partnership of Bollinger Shipyards Rauma Shipyards Seaspan Shipyards and Aker Arctic (Aker) was created “to deliver the lowest-risk, fastest delivery solution of best-in-class Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) to the U.S. Coast Guard,” Seaspan said in a media release.

Though the bid submission deadline for the Arctic Security Cutter program has not been announced yet by the U.S. Coast Guard, “the Seaspan/Rauma/Bollinger/Aker consortium is fully prepared to begin construction immediately,” Dave Hargreaves, Seaspan Senior VP Strategy, Business Development and Communication, told The War Zone on Friday. “We will be able to leverage a mature design, fully operational production line, world-class facilities and deep experience in building technically complex vessels, to allow for delivery of the first vessel within 36 months of contract award.”

The increased attention to the Arctic involves more than icebreakers. The region has seen significant investment in military resources, especially by Russia, which is massively expanding its aviation facilities at Nagurskoye Air Base, adjacent to its large Arctic Trefoil outpost.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is conducting its annual Arctic Edge (AE25) exercise to enhance readiness up north.

“This exercise will include NORAD and USNORTHCOM forces from Air Forces Northern, Army North, Naval Forces Northern, Marine Forces Northern, Special Operations Forces North, Alaska NORAD Region, Alaska Command, and the Continental U.S. NORAD Region,” according to NORAD. “AE25 also includes participation from UK, Denmark, and interagency partners including the Alaska National Guard, FBI, U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, Alaska State and local law enforcement, and Alaska Native communities.”

Unprecedented Chinese Icebreaker Deployment Off Alaska Being Monitored By U.S.

China’s increasing presence near Alaska comes as the U.S. is scrambling to field more icebreakers.

www.twz.com

 

[DEFCON Warning System]

Russia thinks it has an ally in China. Wait until China demands something from the arctic region that Russia doesn't like.

 

[Torch]

Russia thinks it has an ally in China. Wait until China demands something from the arctic region that Russia doesn't like.

Like all of Manchuria back…just saying

The Horde comeths