MOSCOW, October 28 (RIA Novosti) — Russia will build at least 13 airfields and 10 radar stations in the Arctic to safeguard the nation's military security in the region, a senior military commander said Tuesday.
"We are planning to build 13 airfields, an air-ground firing range, as well as ten radar and vectoring posts," Lt. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the National Defense Management Center, said.
A number of political, economic and military measures have been taken over the past few years to protect Russia’s interests in the Arctic amid NATO’s increased focus on the region.
In April, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would build a unified network of military facilities on its Arctic territories to host troops, advanced warships and aircraft as part of a plan to boost protection of the country’s interests and borders in the region.
Over the past few years, Russia has been pressing ahead with efforts aimed at the development of its Arctic territories, including hydrocarbon production and development of the Northern Sea Route, which is gaining importance as an alternative to traditional routes from Europe to Asia.
