布鲁金斯学会-美国加强北极防御的军事选择（英文）-2021.5-15页_891kb

US Military Options to Enhance Arctic Defense

Core Content

The Arctic has become a region of growing strategic importance for the United States due to the effects of climate change, which are opening new access routes and increasing human activity. Despite this, the Arctic has not been a central focus in recent U.S. strategic documents, such as the Biden administration’s Interim National Security Guidance. However, the U.S. military has recognized the need to enhance its Arctic capabilities and readiness in response to rising Russian and Chinese interests in the region.

Main Points

• Strategic Importance: The Arctic is now a key area for security competition due to increased access, economic opportunities, and the potential for new transit routes.
• U.S. Military Engagement: The U.S. military has developed new Arctic strategies across all services to address the region's unique challenges and opportunities.
• International Cooperation: The Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR) and other multilateral forums are essential for fostering cooperation and dialogue among Arctic states.
• Command Structure: Redrawing geographic combatant command boundaries to include the Arctic under NORTHCOM is recommended to improve coordination and elevate the region’s strategic priority.
• Interoperability and Training: Joint exercises and training with allies and partners are crucial for enhancing operational readiness and interoperability in the Arctic.
• Arctic-Specific Capabilities: Each military service has outlined specific actions to improve Arctic operations, including enhanced cold-weather training, improved logistics, and new technologies.

Key Information

Background

• The Arctic Council, established in 1996, excludes military matters from its mandate.
• Climate change is reducing ice cover, leading to increased access and activity in the region.
• Russia and China both have strategic interests in the Arctic, with Russia focusing on sovereignty and security, and China emphasizing economic and security benefits.
• The U.S. has a strong historical presence in the Arctic, particularly through the Coast Guard.

Department of Defense and Homeland Security Strategies

• Department of the Army: Focuses on regaining Arctic dominance through cold-weather training, modernization, and improved unit readiness.
• Department of the Air Force: Emphasizes homeland defense, awareness, and the development of new operational concepts for Arctic conditions.
• Department of the Navy: Seeks to enhance naval presence and capabilities, including the development of expeditionary bases and the use of advanced technologies.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Highlights the Coast Guard’s role in Arctic security and safety, and calls for a whole-of-department approach to Arctic challenges.

Recommendations for the U.S. Military Services

Army

• Should integrate Arctic requirements into modernization priorities.
• Expand training at the Northern Warfare Training Center (NWTC) and develop new command and control systems for Arctic operations.
• Collaborate with other services to enhance multi-domain operations and reduce sustainment demands.

Space Force

• Must develop capabilities for polar operations and enhance space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage.
• Should explore the challenges of operating in high latitudes and the risks posed to space assets.

Air Force

• Continue to focus on homeland defense and awareness.
• Leverage operational concepts from the Pacific, such as "Rapid Raptor" and island-hopping, for Arctic use.
• Develop refueling and sustainment strategies for long-range operations in the Arctic.

Navy and Marine Corps

• Should increase surface ship presence and explore mobile bases and expeditionary sea bases.
• Deploy Marine Littoral Regiments (MLR) to support naval deterrence and enhance maritime control.
• Use AI and drone automation to improve surveillance and anti-ship capabilities.

Coast Guard

• Must advance its icebreaker construction program, particularly the Polar Security Cutter (PSC).
• Should work with the administration and Congress to remove statutory restrictions on icebreaker design and acquisition.
• Should articulate a clear national strategic vision for icebreaking capacity and interoperability beyond the current "6-3-1" framework.

Conclusion

The Arctic is becoming a critical theater for U.S. national security due to climate change and increasing strategic competition. The U.S. military should prioritize Arctic engagement through international bodies, streamline command structures, and enhance joint operations with allies and partners. The Coast Guard, in particular, plays a vital role in Arctic security and must be supported in developing a robust, multi-mission icebreaker fleet. Addressing Arctic security as an important issue now will prevent it from becoming urgent in the future.