Russia to strengthen its naval forces in the Arctic and Atlantic. How should the US/NATO respond?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:00:54 -0400

Russia will strengthen its naval forces in the Arctic and Atlantic as a response to Nato activities close to Russia's borders, the Kremlin says.

Russia's plans are outlined in a new naval doctrine, launched on Sunday as the nation celebrated Navy Day.

The navy will get a fleet of new icebreakers, because the Arctic region gives Russia unrestricted access to the Atlantic and Pacific, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.

The Arctic is also rich in minerals.

The new doctrine calls for close co-operation with China in the Pacific region and India in the Indian Ocean.

Read more at ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-sees-arctic-as-naval-priority/ar-AAdxsoq

Russia sees Arctic as naval priority

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 27 at 2015 8:07 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:07:31 -0400

Monitor their activities even closer in that area.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 27 at 2015 8:58 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:58:05 -0400

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad Unfortunately I believe that Russia, along with China and other countries will continue to increase military spending and modernization of their military. They have watched the United States engage in 14 years of war and all you read about is how the US Military is the strongest and the best in class in the world. They are tired of hearing it and now when we have decided to cut defense spending and reduce our forces the other nations will continue to strengthen and build. I believe they are doing it to prepare for any future confrontation with the United States and their allies. I think that our future on earth will become very uncertain and volatile in the future with this continued build up of military force throughout the world. I'm just hoping that we (those of us on RP) today don't experience that day in the near future. Just my opinion.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jul 27 at 2015 8:59 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:59:51 -0400

We shouldn't respond only continue to keep closed surveillance on them.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 1:31 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 13:31:26 -0400

On the Navy side at least, we have been shifting our focus form East coast to West Coast, gradually building up/reallocating assets. I see more 6th fleet and 7th fleet deployments coming in the future to constantly monitor the countries in question. Russia, to say the least, is not afraid of us as shown with their brazen flights of bombers down our West Coast. Our drawn down of force isn't helping much either. Drawing down forces can make us seem weak. Deterrence and surveillance are our only options right now and with our weakening force, physical force deterrence is quickly becoming impractical.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 2:11 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:11:23 -0400

What I'm really concerned about is China's assertion that it is a near Arctic state and has managed to get a seat as an observer member of the Arctic Council. China is slowly and progressively asserting itself into Arctic affairs in a bid for the wealth of resources the Arctic offers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 3:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:36:47 -0400

I believe we are still engaged in an international game of "chicken" and to see who will flinch first. We can maintain being the top dog, but it is going to take a shift in how defense budgets are viewed as to those who like to whittle them down.

Response by GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston made Jul 28 at 2015 2:24 PM

GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:24:12 -0400

In my opinion the only reason we have not been attacked by our enemies, we are the only nation that has used an atomic bomb,that said we had a real leader in the w.h. today if we were attacked this president would surrender.Therefore we have got to elect a POTUS that will increase our defense spending and prepare for what's ahead We dont need another Pearl Harbor,also a potus that would let our enemies know that we would use any and all weapons at our disposal, if they attack our allies we will retaliate.All

Response by SSG Charles McDermott made Jul 28 at 2015 4:36 PM

SSG Charles McDermott — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:36:47 -0400

SINK THE RUSSIAN NAVY WHEREVER IT IS AFLOAT

Response by MSgt Jim Bain made Jul 29 at 2015 12:05 PM

MSgt Jim Bain — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 12:05:49 -0400

Russia's fleets no longer sit and rust in their ports, they have a President who is focused on expanding his countries borders . Their modernization program is in full swing, our liberal government, instead of at least keeping up, are cutting down. Remember Pearl Harbor folks, .......was not the same party in power then too? Sorry if I offended anyone, but facts are facts, our military needs to stay ahead of the world, when your #1, everyone wants to knock you down, lets not let history repeat itself!

Response by CAPT Lawrence Olsen made Jul 29 at 2015 6:36 PM

CAPT Lawrence Olsen — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:36:35 -0400

Putin is taking the advice of Lenin. Lenin, speaking about moving a cause forward, once said: “Probe with a bayonet: if you meet steel, stop. If you meet mush, then push.” So far, the Russians have encountered little more than mush.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 29 at 2015 7:20 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 19:20:06 -0400

Just mount an anti-ship missile battery on Sarah Palin's porch. She can cover from there apparently.

Seriously though, the arctic is "heating up" with regards to claims. It's the great untapped resource frontier and the melting is opening up new avenues into that area. The traditional neutrality of it is being chipped away in "dare you to stop me!" land grabs. It may be time to start thinking of the Navy as cool again.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 7:56 PM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 19:56:46 -0400

We need to ante up quickly and with commitment. Our lack of icebreakers is appalling. This region will continue to grow in its importance as a sea lane, resource-rich sea bed, and even tourist destination.

I heard a great quote several years ago by a U.S. Coast Guard admiral: "Regardless of what you think about global warming or climate change, the fact is there is now water where once there was ice."

Response by PO3 Bob Walsh made Jul 31 at 2015 3:37 AM

PO3 Bob Walsh — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 03:37:01 -0400

Russia went broke trying to out gun us. They have only recovered in the last few years due to oil deposits uncovered, that are providing the revenue they have been spending on rearming and aggression. We have recently discovered that we have the largest Oil and Gas deposits in the world. Our President has blocked exploration/drilling of this Oil. We should use these resources to destabilize the Petroleum markets and reduce Russian income to a subsistence level. We can bring them to their knees without firing a shot.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 8:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 08:21:11 -0400

This is posturing by Russia. They don't have the economy to float a navy like ours; not even a battlegroup. Their blue-water navy capability was never on par with ours unless you count submarines-- they have never had a major fleet carrier that could carry out power projection, only small carriers for fleet defense. They've allowed the bulk of their Cold War fleet to rust away and they have lost a staggering amount of institutional memory and skills. They'll be playing catch-up for years to come.

Response by TSgt David Blakley made Jul 31 at 2015 4:30 PM

TSgt David Blakley — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 16:30:33 -0400

Unfortunately we do not have allies in Washington at this time. We (the military) should wait until after January 2016 before making any decisions toward a formidable force like Russia. Personally IMHO we owe so much money to China that I do not believe they want an escalation or "cold war" at this time. Just my take on it from my military days in the Cold War with the USSR (1980-1992).

Response by A1C William Puckett made Aug 12 at 2015 4:37 AM

A1C William Puckett — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 04:37:52 -0400

A spit shined piece of crap is just that, a piece of crap. Sure they'll try. but that means they will have to do that to their whole fleet. Their Air force is in worse shape. Planes falling out of the sky. Of course I was talking about Russia. China has some serious catching up to do. Look at the Chinese tanks for one example. Chinese soldiers don't even fit in them anymore. These countries rely on sheer numbers. Thousands of tanks hoping that most of them run. Col. Burroughs you speak of 14 years of war. If our military wasn't so tied down with ROE, you know we would have been done with these wars within a week. I have no idea why people are so worried about Russia and China.