MOSCOW, May 22 — RIA Novosti. Inherited from the times of the Soviet Union, the weapons have well prepared Russia for the fight for the Arctic, writes the National Interest.
According to the author of the article, Robert Farley, Moscow was preparing to confront the West during the Cold War, using the territory of the Arctic. The accumulated experience and a variety of weapons allowed her to acquire a "deadly set of capabilities" in case "something unthinkable" happens in the Arctic Ocean.
First of all, the journalist mentioned the Russian icebreaker fleet — the largest in the world. Such ships are becoming more and more popular due to the growing commercial interest in the development of the region, which makes Russia a "guarantor of global access to the Arctic". Thanks to this, Moscow can freely plan a military campaign, as well as a strategy for accessing resources in the region, the author stressed.
One of the most deadly Russian weapons in the Arctic, the expert considered the submarines of the Akula project, describing them as"monstrous". The submarine's size and vast arsenal of weapons make up for its lack of stealth, Farley said.
In addition, Russia is actively using aircraft in the skies over the Arctic: for example, MiG-31 fighters created for the "hunt" for American bombers. The journalist noted their powerful radars and excellent maneuverability. He also mentioned Tu-95 bombers and Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft. Although the Tu-95, according to the author, are considered one of the oldest aircraft, they still " feel great in the cold skies of the Arctic."
Farley also noted the training of Russian special forces: they are trained to capture and hold hard-to-reach areas, conduct reconnaissance, and help in search and rescue operations for civil servants.
