Military: Arctic

Military Overview

The military posture of Arctic nations reflects global and regional political dynamics, the climate, distribution of population centers and economic resources. Military activities center on search and rescue, sovereignty claims assertion, natural resource protection, and global competition. Of these, global competition is the predominant theme and occurs primarily between Donovia and North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) members.

Military Presence in the Arctic

Donovia maintains the largest military presence in the OE, followed by the U.S., Canada, Framland, and Bothnia. Some non-Arctic countries, including the Arnland and Olvana, have intermittent Arctic military presence. Most military activity in the region is concerned with exercising sovereignty, search and rescue operations, environmental protection, or support to civilian authorities. Donovia and NATO also maintain deterrent force postures in the Arctic. NATO is the only military alliance with a presence in the Arctic.

International Governance

Donovian bases in the Arctic.

Donovia

see Donovia Military Arctic (link forthcoming)

Bothnia

see Bothnia Military Arctic (link forthcoming)

Torrike

see Torrike Military Arctic (link forthcoming)

Denmark/Greenland/Faroe Islands

see Denmark Military Arctic (link forthcoming)

Iceland

see Iceland Military Arctic (link forthcoming)

Norway

see Norway Military Arctic (link forthcoming)

Canada

see Canada Military Arctic (link forthcoming)

Military Equipment Challenges

Military equipment not specifically designed or modified for Arctic conditions seldom lasts. Equipment is harder to maintain in the Arctic and failure is more frequent.

• Metal and manmade materials become brittle and take on different characteristics. These also freeze at different temperatures and must be tested for temperature suitability ranges.
• Diesel fuel must be Arctic fuel following the European Union EN 590 standard. Coming in five different classes, Arctic diesel can be used at temperatures of ---type fuel with a low cetane number.
• Non-synthetic lubricants harden and become unsuitable. This is true for all vehicle, aircraft and weapons lubricants.
• Vehicles and aircraft will need external heat sources when not in use, such as swing-fire heaters, engine block heaters, battery blankets, and oil pan/transmission heaters. Transportation vehicles and aircraft must be fitted with additional heating systems for both humans and cargo which cannot be allowed to freeze.
• Condensation inside plastic tents will quickly freeze and make the tent unusable.
• Condensation in weapons will freeze causing bolts to lock and ammunition to not feed. Ice in mortar tubes will trap the round and make the weapon unusable. Howitzer breeches which are not heated before firing will cause the metal to crack.
• All equipment batteries (radios, night vision devices, vehicles, laser pointers, etc) will have seriously shortened life when exposed to extreme cold, placing a larger burden on the supply systems and soldier loads.
• Soldiers using inadequate boots will become casualties to frostbite. Boots which are too heavy will result in trench foot casualties.
• Soldier combat load will increase markedly from the requirement to carry more life-support clothing (3-5 layer system), sleep systems, water, and equipment (snowshoes, skis, poles, and sledges). This coupled with extreme cold will degrade human performance without additional training and extended acclimatization.
• Sunlight reflection off of ice and snow will cause severe sunburn to exposed skin and retina damage to eyes. Soldiers must be issued sunblock creams to prevent burns, and quality sunglasses to prevent snow-blindness.
• Standard military issue nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) masks and clothing systems will be degraded or useless in extreme cold and needs extensive testing for suitability.
• Logistics support requirements grow due to the need for additional tentage, stoves, fuel, specialized lubricants, food (higher caloric intake), and unfrozen water.
• Transporting parts from southern warehouses is made difficult, not only by the distances involved, but by limited shipping infrastructure and difficult weather conditions.

Vehicles developed specifically for the Arctic, such as the Hagglunds Bv-206, the DT-30PM Vityaz, and snowmobiles, rely on articulated tracks to traverse snow in the winter and swamps and water obstacles in the summer. The U.S. Army is developing a new Joint All Weather All Terrain Support Vehicle (JAASV) for use in northern and Arctic environments. However, even these vehicles may be challenged when navigating over glazed roads black ice. Ground pressure plays a large role in mobility. See the ground pressure paragraph in the Physical Environment variable for more detail.

The Donovian military is conducting vehicle tests to develop more hardened platforms. Tests begin at the Bronnitsy Testing Area near Moscow. Vehicles are then moved north of the Arctic Circle for practical assessments and modifications. The latest test was a 2,000 km trip from Tiksi to Kotelny Island, partially across the Laptev Sea ice with temperatures down to -44C. The vehicles involved were the Trekol 6X6 truck, the DT-30PM Vityaz articulated tracked vehicle (ATV), the DT-10PM Vezdesusciy ATV, and the GAZ-3344-20 ATV. Future tests will include these vehicles and weapons systems.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear (CBRN) Challenges In The Arctic

The Arctic region is especially challenging to CBRN operations due to snow, low visibility, fog, icy roads, and high winds. Most U.S. techniques and procedures for decontamination require wet decontamination capability that is not feasible in high latitudes. Toxic chemicals take on different properties in deep cold environments. Additionally, soldiers must work through freezing wind, snow and ground ice to set up equipment.