British Defence Secretary John Healey has noted the growing strategic importance of the Arctic amid concerns of increased Russian activity in the region.
UK Defence Journal reports that during hearings in the House of Commons, officials noted specific areas of concern, including quick reaction alert, subsea cables, and the defence of the high north.
The Defence Secretary said that the region is being increasingly contested due to climate change and the opening of new shipping routes.
“The high north will become strategically much more essential. Degrees of conflict and contest are likely to grow there,” Healey affirmed.
According to him, the British defence force plans to learn from recent conflicts and incidents in the Arctic to adjust UK’s strategic priorities.
Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished
