Russia to deploy 4 new warships to protect Arctic zone by 2020

PanARMENIAN.Net - The coast guard division of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) will deploy four new warships to protect the nation's Arctic zone by 2020, the FSB press service said on Monday, May 27, according to RIA Novosti.

Eleven border protection facilities are to be built in the Arctic, while automated surveillance systems are to be deployed in the area as part of the Russian Federation State Border Protection program for 2012-2020, an FSB representative said.

Russia has officially set a goal of deploying a combined-arms force by 2020 to protect its political and economic interests in the Arctic, including military, border, and coast guard units.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said in December 2012 that Russia risks losing its sovereignty by the mid-21st century if it does not assert its national interests in the Arctic today.