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
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 Naval Warfare
-
![As uncrewed naval systems advance, capabilities to counter them are emerging]()
As uncrewed naval systems advance, capabilities to counter them are emerging
Research programmes and system procurement efforts to counter uncrewed surface and underwater vehicle threats are accelerating as naval drone uptake spreads.
-
![Thinning Arctic ice reveals naval capability gaps and new opportunities]()
Thinning Arctic ice reveals naval capability gaps and new opportunities
As sea ice extent hits a record low and geopolitical tensions increase in the High North, navies are contending to adopt the technologies needed to operate beneath an increasingly unpredictable Arctic Ocean.
-
![Italy’s U212 Near Future Submarine production builds pace as upgrade plans mature]()
Italy’s U212 Near Future Submarine production builds pace as upgrade plans mature
Andrea Simone Pinna, OCCAR-EA combat system officer for the U212 NFS programme, outlined production progress, new capabilities and plans for the Italian Navy’s next-generation conventional submarine.
