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The crew of the Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine, USS Connecticut (SSN 22) during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael B. Zingaro)

Navy Releases Strategic Blueprint for the Arctic

By Kristen Fletcher, Faculty Associate-Research, Energy Academic Group

On January 5, the Navy released a Blue Arctic, its “strategic blueprint” for the Arctic region in preparation for an increasingly accessible and navigable region. The document defines the Arctic region as “stretching from Maine in the North Atlantic across the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait and Alaska in the North Pacific to the southern tip of the Aleutian Island chain.”

The document follows the 2019 Strategic Outlook for the Arctic, Arctic Roadmap 2014–2030, and 2009 Navy Arctic Roadmap. The blueprint opens by acknowledging the significant changes in the region, especially increasingly navigable Arctic waters as a result of rapidly melting sea ice. It states that a blue Arctic “will create new challenges and opportunities off our northern shores. Without sustained American naval presence and partnerships in the Arctic region, peace and prosperity will be increasingly challenged by Russia and China, whose interests and values differ dramatically from ours.” While the blueprint does not reference China’s claim as a “near-Arctic state,” the 2019 DoD Arctic Strategy disputes the claim. With the increased investments and activities by China and Russia, the document prioritizes the need for sustained partnerships with allies within and outside the region.

The blueprint shows prioritization of operating more assertively across the region “to prevail in day-to-day competition as we protect the homeland, keep Arctic seas free and open, and deter coercive behavior and conventional aggression.” This includes improving the Navy’s exercises and fleet synchronization above and underwater by “regionally posturing our forces, conducting exercises and operations, integrating Navy-Marine Corps-Coast Guard capabilities, and synchronizing our Fleets.” Continuing joint military exercises, like the submarine-focused ICEX, are essential to evaluate and enhance American preparedness for operations in the region.

LEARN MORE

Download a Blue Arctic from defense.gov

EAG Interns have prepared two Arctic reports available at:
nps.edu/web/eag/intern-research

Email Kristen Fletcher at kristen.fletcher@nps.edu

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