Russia is actively investing in the development of projects in the Arctic. Since 2014, the authorities have strengthened defense in the region, including to protect navigation on the Northern Sea Route. One of the measures was the construction of new bases on the islands of the northern seas, as well as the construction of ice-class warships of Project 23550. This was pointed out by military observer Kirill Ryabov.
According to him, 6 new bases were built in the Arctic. In addition, more than 10 airfields and the same number of positions for radar and air defense equipment were restored or built from scratch. Most of them were put into operation by 2016.
The most famous among the new military facilities are the "Polar Star" bases on Wrangel Island, the "Arctic Trefoil" on Alexandra Land Island, and the "Northern Clover" on Kotelny Island.
Ryabov added that radar systems and SAMs are on combat duty at the island bases. Military personnel can transmit data to the "mainland" and call for help.
Northern Fleet on guard of the Russian Arctic and the Northern Sea Route
Almost all warships of the Northern Fleet can protect the region. They carry anti-aircraft systems, strike and anti-submarine weapons. The ships are capable of repelling an attack from the air, as well as hitting enemy ships.
Patrol warships are needed to protect convoys of ships on the Northern Sea Route. Such ships of Project 23550 are being built by shipbuilders at "Admiralty Shipyards". The lead ship of the project "Ivan Papanin" is currently undergoing testing.
It is both a patrol ship, a tugboat, and an icebreaker. The reinforced hull will easily pass through 1.5-meter-thick ice. There is a towing winch and crane installations on board. But first of all, this ship is a combat ship. There is a hangar for a Ka-27 helicopter, an artillery installation. If necessary, the ship will be equipped with a "Caliber" missile system. There are 4 diesel generators in the engine room. If one fails, the others will continue to work. The ship is powered by two propeller electric motors. Thanks to them, "Ivan Papanin" develops a speed of up to 18 knots and easily maneuvers in ice. The autonomy of navigation is 2.5 months, the range is 10 thousand miles.
The hull of "Ivan Papanin" corresponds to the ice class Arc7 and allows breaking through ice up to 1.7 m thick. In terms of equipment and functions, ships of this project are similar to some modern corvettes and frigates.
There are no foreign mechanisms and devices on the ship - everything is Russian-made, the shipbuilders say.
This is the lead order, and there is also a serial one. It is currently in the stage of slipway construction.
The next ship will bear the name of the Soviet oceanographer Nikolai Zubov. It will become part of the Kola Flotilla of the Northern Fleet.
The Leningrad Military District, which includes the Russian Arctic, includes aviation units. The district has patrol aircraft and fighters.
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