Russian Arctic brigade on border to Norway already in 2011
The planned Arctic special forces brigade on the border to Norway can be established already this year. A high-ranking officer has already inspected the premises.
Commander of the Russian Ground Forces Aleksander Postnikov is currently on a three day long visit to military camps on the Kola Peninsula, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports. The aim of this inspection trip is to discuss questions connected to the establishment of Arctic brigades.
Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Vlasov, spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, says that the first unit to be specially equipped and prepared for military warfare in Arctic conditions, is the 200. motorized infantry brigade in Pechenga, some 10 kilometers from the Russian-Norwegian border and 50 kilometers from the Norwegian town of Kirkenes.
- We are now making preliminary estimations before the coming reorganization, Vlasov says.
Establishment of an Arctic brigade so close to NATO-member Norway is an attempt to “balance the situation” as the U.S. and Canada already are establishing similar brigades, BarentsObserver reported when the news about the brigade came out in March.
According to Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the establishment of an Arctic brigade in Pechenga can become a reality already within the end of 2011. The soldiers will be trained in a special program and equipped with modern personal equipment. The unit will get modern means of communication and transportation. Parts of each new Arctic brigade is also planned to be airmobile.
The unit in Pechenga was established in 1943 as the 45. division, which took part in the liberation of Petsamo (Pechenga) and Kirkenes. It was later reorganized to the 131. motorized infantry division, before it became the 200. independent motorized infantry brigade some 15 years ago.
