The United States, Canada, and Finland have announced the formation of a consortium to build icebreaker ships, a strategic initiative aimed at countering the growing influence of Russia and China in the polar regions.
The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE pact, was unveiled on Thursday during a three-day NATO summit in Washington, where the alliance also called on China to cease its support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The ICE pact aims to produce a fleet of icebreaking ships designed to “project power” into the polar regions and enforce international norms and treaties. A senior U.S. administration official described the initiative as a “strategic imperative,” highlighting its importance in maintaining a competitive edge over adversaries in this specialised technology.
The agreement, which the three NATO members plan to sign by the end of the year, will pool demand from allies to enhance shipbuilding capacity. This move is intended to send a clear message to Russia and China about the West’s commitment to maintaining a presence and influence in the polar regions.
“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,” the U.S. official said.
The U.S. shipbuilding industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, with lawmakers and experts expressing concerns over the decline in shipbuilding capacity, especially as China continues to produce naval ships at unprecedented levels. The construction of U.S. Navy ships is currently years behind schedule, adding urgency to the ICE pact.
Although the official did not provide a specific timeline for the production of the new icebreakers or the exact number of vessels the U.S. aims to produce, they noted that the U.S. currently operates only two icebreakers, both nearing the end of their operational life. “We intend to scale up by multiples of the current amount as soon as we can,” the official stated.
The governments involved in the ICE pact will identify shipyards in the U.S., Canada, and Finland that can meet the demand from partners and allies. The official highlighted the need for increased production, noting that U.S. allies are seeking 70 to 90 icebreakers over the next decade.
This initiative comes as China is developing new shipping routes in the Arctic and expanding its research activities in Antarctica. Western governments are concerned that China’s polar activities could enhance its military’s operational and surveillance capabilities.
Melissa Enoch
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