How Russia is beating the U.S. in the Arctic

The Wall Street Journal has published a report detailing how Russia is expanding its military and economic presence in the Arctic, working closely with China while outpacing the U.S. in the region. With NATO increasing its own military exercises, the Arctic has become a key geopolitical battleground. As climate change opens new shipping routes and access to resources, Russia and China are strengthening their positions while the U.S. struggles to catch up.

Russia and China strengthen Arctic presence

• Russia has resumed large-scale Arctic military exercises, including nuclear submarine missile drills near NATO territories. Joint Russian-Chinese bomber flights near Alaska and naval patrols in Arctic waters highlight increasing military cooperation between the two countries.
• The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet, reducing sea ice and making new shipping lanes accessible. Russia’s Northern Sea Route cuts transit times between Asia and Europe by two weeks compared to the Suez Canal. Canada is exploring Arctic deepwater ports to compete.
• Russia has reopened and modernized Soviet-era Arctic bases, including the heavily fortified Nagurskoye Base, which can house strategic bombers and missile defense systems. With over 36 icebreakers, many nuclear-powered, Russia vastly outnumbers the U.S., which has only three.

U.S. and NATO struggle to keep up

• The U.S. and Canada are modernizing NORAD, but aging radar and new Russian-Chinese hypersonic missiles pose challenges. The U.S. is acquiring more F-35 fighter jets and icebreakers to close the gap. NATO has held Arctic wargames, but infrastructure limitations remain a concern.
• Russia’s Arctic contributes around 10% of its GDP, including significant oil, gas, and fishing resources. China is a major investor in Russian Arctic energy projects, securing preferential access to resources. Meanwhile, the Arctic seabed may hold vast untapped oil, gas, and critical minerals, sparking territorial disputes.
• Declaring itself a “near-Arctic” state, China has expanded its scientific research stations, shipping routes, and Arctic military cooperation with Russia. Their first joint Arctic patrol in 2024 signaled a new level of strategic partnership.

Infrastructure challenges in North America

• The U.S. lacks deepwater Arctic ports and sufficient roads and rail infrastructure in Alaska. Canada, despite its vast Arctic territory, has only one deepwater Arctic port, located 500 miles south of the Arctic Circle. This limits North America’s ability to project power in the region.