Skip to main content

Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

The United States, Canada, and Finland announced a new trilateral pact to bolster shipbuilding and establish a more formidable Arctic fleet to counter Russian and Chinese influence in northern waters.

The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort dubbed the “ICE Pact,” represents a multi-billion dollar, multi-year investment by the three allies to build polar-class icebreakers for the Coast Guard to operate in the northern seas. According to a release, the estimated cost of this effort is around $10 billion and will seek to create 70 – 90 ships over the next 10 years.

1000w Q95 5

The White House said the pact “is intended to strengthen the shipbuilding industry and industrial capacity of each nation—and build closer security and economic ties.” A senior US official noted that the pact the United States was “committed to revitalizing our capacity to build American ships and American shipyards with American sailors,” noting it was strategically “imperative” to do.

The official added, “Without this arrangement, we’d risk our adversaries developing an advantage in a specialized technology with vast geostrategic importance, which could also allow them to become the preferred supplier for countries that also have an interest in purchasing polar icebreakers.”

1000w Q95 2

This development comes as the northern seas and Arctic have become more frequently used, resulting in increased military presence in these regions. Russia and China have already strengthened their cooperation in the Arctic, with Russia possessing around 40 icebreakers compared to the US’s two aging vessels. Canada and Finland have roughly 30 icebreakers between the two.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Keep up to date with our latest videos, news and content