Meanwhile, in the Arctic....
Top Navy Admiral Says No To Icebreakers
As tensions rise in the Arctic with Russia and China expanding their presence, Congresswoman Betty McCollum – ranking member of the powerful
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee – confronted Navy Chief Of Naval Operations Mike Gilday
in a heated hearing on Wednesday, asking hard questions on the United States’ preparedness in this strategic region. Surprisingly,
Gilday sidestepped responsibility for icebreakers, passing the buck to the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Amidst growing global competition, this evasion raises critical questions about the U.S. military’s commitment to safeguarding national security and economic interests in the Arctic.
“China has participated in 33 Arctic operations in the last two decades. They engage in all major Arctic institutions and continue to expand their icebreaker fleet, which now includes two medium icebreakers, and they are currently developing heavy icebreakers,”
Betty McCollum said while questioning Gilday and
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. She highlighted that “Russia alone has 40 icebreakers, including two nuclear-powered ones.”
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) As tensions rise in the Arctic with Russia and China expanding their presence, Congresswoman Betty McCollum – ranking member of the powerful Defense Appropriations Subcommittee – confronted...
gcaptain.com