Chapter III: Russian and NATO Surface Capabilities in the High North

Abstract

The balance of power on the ocean surface in the Arctic will have a crucial role in determining the relative capacity of NATO and Russia to exert influence in the region and the High North in both peacetime and war. This balance will be impacted by related factors such as the balance of power in the air and subsurface domain. When discussing Russia’s surface capabilities in the Arctic, the scope needs to extend beyond naval platforms. This stems from the symbiotic relationship between Russia’s naval forces in the Arctic, its coast guard, and commercial assets such as its nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet. Indeed, the relationship between the security services and functions such as border security has always been relatively tight – the FSB, for example, is in charge of border security. The assets held by the Russian border