Russia and China on Tuesday pushed back against a U.S. warning over their increasing military and economic cooperation in the Arctic, where climate change is opening up greater competition.

Russia has in recent years beefed up its military presence in the Arctic by reopening and modernizing several bases and airfields abandoned since the end of the Soviet era, while China has poured money into polar exploration and research.

"We've seen growing cooperation between the PRC and Russia in the Arctic commercially, with the PRC being a major funder of Russian energy exploitation in the Arctic," Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told journalists Monday, using an abbreviation for the People's Republic of China.

There is also growing military cooperation, "with Russia and China conducting joint exercises off the coast of Alaska," Hicks said as the department released its 2024 Arctic strategy.

"All of these challenges have been amplified because the effects of climate change are rapidly warming temperatures and thinning ice coverage, and it's enabling all of this activity," she said.

The two autocratic countries — which two years ago suggested they were working together to offer a new "democratic world order" — pledged in a joint statement signed in May, when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited his counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, to consider together the negative impact of the U.S. and NATO's strategy in the Asia-Pacific.

The rapid melting of polar ice has sent activity in the inhospitable region into overdrive as nations eye newly viable oil, gas and mineral deposits as well as shipping routes in an area with a complex web of competing territorial claims.

The issue has been an increasing focus for both Washington and its NATO allies, and particularly Canada, which has more than 100,000 miles of Arctic coastline. Canada's defense ministry recently announced plans to quadruple the size of its submarine fleet with the purchase of 12 new subs capable of operating under sea ice.

Moscow is heavily promoting its Northern Sea Route, an alternative cargo route for vessels travelling between Europe and Asia that can shave significant time off southerly routes.

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China and Russia both defended their policies in the region on Tuesday.

Beijing said it acts on the "principles of respect, cooperation, mutual wins and sustainability", adding it was "committed to maintaining peace and stability" in the region.

"The United States distorts China's Arctic policy and makes thoughtless remarks on China's normal Arctic activities (which are) in accordance with international law," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia "does its part to ensure that the Arctic does not become a territory of discord and tension."

He told reporters that Russia's cooperation with China "contributes to an atmosphere of stability and predictability" in the Arctic and their actions were not targeted against other countries.

Washington's Arctic strategy describes the area as "a strategically important region" for the United States that includes "the northern approaches to the homeland" and "significant U.S. defense infrastructure."

It says climate change could result in the Arctic experiencing its first "practically ice-free summer by 2030."

"Increases in human activity will elevate the risk of accidents, miscalculation, and environmental degradation," and U.S. forces "must be ready and equipped to mitigate the risks associated with potential contingencies in the Arctic."

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Pentagon announces new Arctic strategy as region becomes more contested

The Pentagon on Monday announced a new strategy to build up its presence in the Arctic region, which is becoming more contested militarily as climate change drives the melting of sea ice and opens up new passageways.

The Defense Department, pushing to counter Russia and China in the Arctic, outlined a new effort that includes a multi-pronged approach: investing in more Icebreaker ships, training forces for the Arctic, investing in regional bases and building out advanced technology for Arctic-based missions such as aircraft and communications infrastructure.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, in announcing the new strategy on Monday, said “this new Arctic strategy is an important step forward in ensuring that the Arctic remains stable and secure, now and into the future.”

“The strategic can quickly become tactical, ensuring that our troops have the training, the gear and the operating procedures for the unique arctic environment, [which] could be the difference between mission success and failure,” Hicks said at a press conference. “It is imperative that the joint force is equipped and trained with what they need to operate in the Arctic.”

The 2024 Department of Defense Arctic strategy, packaged into a 28-page report, comes a couple of weeks after the U.S. announced the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, a multibillion dollar and multiyear pact with Finland and Canada to build more Icebreaker ships that can navigate the region.

The U.S. has long worried it is falling behind Russia and China in the Arctic, especially as Beijing and Moscow conduct joint patrols and exercises in the region. Russia has some 40 Icebreakers, according to the Pentagon, while the U.S. Coast Guard only has two operating ones that are expected to soon reach the end of their life.

While the western security alliance NATO includes seven of eight Arctic states, Russia has the largest share of regional territory and the most developed military presence there, according to the Pentagon. Russia is also continuing to invest heavily in the Arctic and renovate its installations.

China has just three Icebreakers and is not an Arctic state. But it often conducts research there that the U.S. says is military related, and Beijing is seeking to promote the Arctic as a shared space while gaining access to the region through investments.

Hicks said that it was “very noticeable and concerning” regarding both Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic.

The Defense Department plan focuses on a strategy to improve sensors, intelligence and information-sharing; engage with allies and partners to strengthen the U.S. presence; and launch more training and exercises in the Arctic to accustom troops to the cold and deploy new technology designed for the icy region.

That includes modernizing the network of radars and sensors under the command of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and investing in satellites to provide coverage of the Arctic.

The Pentagon also aims to invest in Arctic-specific manned aircraft and drones, along with investments in cold weather equipment and technology to enable troops to deploy in temperatures of minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Iris Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Arctic and global resilience, whose team crafted the new strategy, said they were looking at the “art of the possible” when it comes to building out new drones and aircraft, including research and development.

Ferguson said that while there have been other Arctic strategies in the past, the new plan is narrowing in on specific capabilities, such as communication infrastructure and equipment needs.

She added it will “lend some prioritization to resourcing in the region” and “provide the enabling capabilities for our joint force to effectively operate.”

“There’s been a slow evolution, not only in what these strategies say, but how the department is approaching implementing them,” she said. “Slowly over time, there’s been a bit of a greater awakening in the department, not only about our needs for homeland defense … but also that we can’t just show up to operate there. We’ve got to exercise their proficiency.”

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