Newest US Coast Guard cutters go after Chinese vessels sailing in the Arctic
Storis is the first icebreaker acquired by the USCG in the last 25 years. (Photo: Edison Chouest Offshore)
Cutters Earl Cunningham and Storis have been monitoring five Beijing research vessels navigating in the North Pole.
Just after commissioning the cutters Storis (WAGB 21) and Earl Cunningham (WPC 1159), the US Coast Guard (USCG) deployed them to monitor and counter Chinese icebreakers in the Arctic. Since July, five Beijing research vessels have been spotted by the service sailing in and near US waters.
Only last week, the Chinese-flagged ship Ji Di and the Liberia-flagged Chinese asset Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di were caught navigating near Utqiagvik, Alaska. While Ji Di was approximately 265 miles north-west of the coastal city, Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di was nearly 230 miles north.
“Both vessels were operating
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays]()
US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays
The US Navy published a pre-solicitation notice of intent for the third phase of the F-35 Reprogramming Verification & Validation System. Meanwhile, with a five-year delay in its schedule, GAO foresees more postponements in the completion of the Block 4 effort.
-
![US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract]()
US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.
-
![Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals]()
Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has a crunch time coming up as it looks to refresh its fleet before 2040, and prepares to begin operating Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, although it is at the back of a long ordering queue. A key part of any solution is looking at what neighbouring Australia is buying.
