How Chinese and Russian ambitions are forcing US posture in the Arctic to shift
Naval Special Warfare members perform a high-altitude low-opening jump during the 2022 Arctic Edge Exercise. (Photo: US Navy)
The recently released 2024 DoD Arctic Strategy established lines of action to improve US extreme cold-weather capabilities against perceived threats from China and Russia throughout the region.
Growing Chinese and Russian interest and presence in the Arctic has been pushing the US towards putting greater emphasis on the area. Aiming to protect its High North territory, the Pentagon released its 2024 DoD Arctic Strategy this week outlining courses of action to improve its cold-weather inventory.
The paper stated the Department of Defense (DoD) should “review existing equipment and infrastructure and develop options to sustain a monitor-and-respond approach”.
From that perspective, the department intends to enhance its C5ISR, early warning, tracking, sensing, forecasting and information-sharing capabilities, access cutting-edge technologies for extremely harsh environments and modernise its infrastructure
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO's eastern flank]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO's eastern flank
Autonomous systems developer Milrem has evolved a model for an interoperable robotised approach to the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), showing how uncrewed systems could provide a multi-layered defence architecture in the air and on land along NATO’s eastern borders.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities]()
Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities
Eurosatory 2026 will reflect a defence and security sector shaped by conflict, rising government spending, uncrewed systems, multidomain networks and growing demand for sovereign capabilities.
-
![Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP]()
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.
-
![Agile, sovereign, edge-ready: rewiring defence IT for a contested decade]()
Agile, sovereign, edge-ready: rewiring defence IT for a contested decade
Today's rapidly changing security landscape means that armed forces can no longer treat their data in the same way as in the past. What are the key challenges they face, and how can industry help them?
-
![US lawmakers prepare a historic investment in stockpile replenishment in FY2027]()
US lawmakers prepare a historic investment in stockpile replenishment in FY2027
The House Armed Services Committee recently released the Chairman’s NDAA FY2027 markup, which supports the Pentagon’s request for nearly $90 billion for long-range missiles, air defence interceptors, precision-guided munitions and industrial baseline items.
-
![Six critical capability gaps shaping the US Golden Dome implementation]()
Six critical capability gaps shaping the US Golden Dome implementation
How emerging technologies and capability priorities will shape America’s next-generation missile defence system.
