<p>The Arctic Ocean's ice is melting faster than ever due to global warming, opening up more areas in the huge area to global competition for its untapped resources, including an estimated 13 per cent of the world's oil. The US Coast Guard commissioned its first new polar icebreaker ship in over 25 years this August, as part of an $8.6 billion push to expand its Arctic capabilities, with key rivals Russia and China in mind. In this context, here is a look at the Arctic region's resources, the contentious control of its territory, and the countries engaged in the scramble.</p><h2>What are the resources of the Arctic?</h2><p>The Arctic possibly contains up to 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and roughly 30 per cent of global natural gas deposits.&nbsp;</p><p>It is also home to mineral deposits, including rare earth elements critical for green tech and electric vehicles.&nbsp;</p><p>Greenland and northern Scandinavia offer mining opportunities for iron ore and other strategic minerals.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-arctic-space-race-heats-up-china-u-s-europe-build-antenna-farms-in-the-far-north-1764097803450/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-arctic-space-race-heats-up-china-u-s-europe-build-antenna-farms-in-the-far-north-1764097803450/embed</a></p><h2>New shipping routes can drastically reduce global maritime trade costs</h2><p>Besides the Arctic's abundant and critical natural resources, the thawing of ice is slowly opening up more shipping routes, such as the Northern Sea Route along Russia’s Arctic coast and the Northwest Passage through Canada. When fully operational and commercialised, these routes can reduce transit times between Asia and Europe by up to 40 per cent and lower shipping costs by roughly 30 per cent.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-scientists-revive-40-000-year-old-ancient-virus-with-pandemic-potential-from-arctic-ice-1759812221224">Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice</a></p><h2>Who controls the Arctic?</h2><p>The Arctic Ocean region, spanning approximately 14.5 million square kilometres, is loosely governed through a combination of national jurisdiction, international law, and cooperative bodies like the Arctic Council. Eight countries have coastlines along the Arctic Ocean: Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US (via Alaska). These countries are part of the Arctic Council, which focuses on non-security issues and environmental protection. China also claims to be a “near-Arctic state,” becoming an active new entrant in the race for the region's resources.</p><p>The coastal states control their land, internal waters, and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) spanning 200 nautical miles.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-surprised-to-see-organism-alive-and-moving-inside-arctic-ocean-that-they-thought-was-dead-1757656476816">Scientists surprised to see organism 'alive and moving' inside Arctic Ocean that they thought was dead</a></p><h2>Race for more control of the Arctic via UN laws</h2><p>The scramble for the Arctic is evident from new claims by some countries to expand their rights over the continental shelf beyond the EEZ. They have filed petitions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with Russia and Norway receiving partial approvals. Canada, Denmark, and some others have their claims pending. The US has not ratified UNCLOS, but generally observes its provisions.</p><p>The central Arctic Ocean remains international waters, open for navigation and fishing under UNCLOS.</p><h2>Which countries are interested in the Arctic?</h2><p>While Arctic coastal states naturally have the strongest claims and interests in resource development, shipping, and security, countries like the US, Russia, and China are competing to gain an upper hand. US President Donald Trump's remarks about wanting to buy Greenland should be seen in this context.</p><h2>China: A non-Arctic power operating in the waters</h2><p>Calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” China has expanded its research and commercial shipping activity in the region. The Asian power is testing new maritime routes and building icebreaker capacity in the Arctic.&nbsp;</p><p>Countries and entities with observer status in the Arctic Council, including India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the European Union, have invested in scientific research, mining projects, and shipping infrastructure to gain a foothold in the region.</p><h2>Militarising the Arctic</h2><p>De facto enforcement of the Arctic Ocean is carried out by countries like the US using Coast Guard patrols to maintain presence and monitor foreign vessels. Russia maintains the largest military presence and extensive Arctic bases, asserting control over roughly half of the Arctic coastline.</p><p>Canada and Norway also regulate shipping in their waters while pursuing resource extraction.</p><p>In this context, the US commissioning of new icebreakers and plans to acquire more gain significance. The aim is to secure strategic influence, protect shipping routes, and gain access to mineral resources, particularly in Greenland.</p><p>The days when the Arctic could become a conflict zone are not far away, given the current level of intensifying activity around the slowly unfreezing ocean.</p>

The US has commissioned its first icebreaker in 25 years, as melting of Arctic ice opens up more shipping routes and scramble for untapped resources. China and Russia are also racing for dominance. 


The Arctic Ocean's ice is melting faster than ever due to global warming, opening up more areas in the huge area to global competition for its untapped resources, including an estimated 13 per cent of the world's oil. The US Coast Guard commissioned its first new polar icebreaker ship in over 25 years this August, as part of an $8.6 billion push to expand its Arctic capabilities, with key rivals Russia and China in mind. In this context, here is a look at the Arctic region's resources, the contentious control of its territory, and the countries engaged in the scramble. What are the resources of the Arctic? The Arctic possibly contains up to 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and roughly 30 per cent of global natural gas deposits. It is also home to mineral deposits, including rare earth elements critical for green tech and electric vehicles. Greenland and northern Scandinavia offer mining opportunities for iron ore and other strategic minerals. https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-arctic-space-race-heats-up-china-u-s-europe-build-antenna-farms-in-the-far-north-1764097803450/embed New shipping routes can drastically reduce global maritime trade costs Besides the Arctic's abundant and critical natural resources, the thawing of ice is slowly opening up more shipping routes, such as the Northern Sea Route along Russia’s Arctic coast and the Northwest Passage through Canada. When fully operational and commercialised, these routes can reduce transit times between Asia and Europe by up to 40 per cent and lower shipping costs by roughly 30 per cent. Also read: Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice Who controls the Arctic? The Arctic Ocean region, spanning approximately 14.5 million square kilometres, is loosely governed through a combination of national jurisdiction, international law, and cooperative bodies like the Arctic Council. Eight countries have coastlines along the Arctic Ocean: Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US (via Alaska). These countries are part of the Arctic Council, which focuses on non-security issues and environmental protection. China also claims to be a “near-Arctic state,” becoming an active new entrant in the race for the region's resources. The coastal states control their land, internal waters, and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) spanning 200 nautical miles. Also read: Scientists surprised to see organism 'alive and moving' inside Arctic Ocean that they thought was dead Race for more control of the Arctic via UN laws The scramble for the Arctic is evident from new claims by some countries to expand their rights over the continental shelf beyond the EEZ. They have filed petitions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with Russia and Norway receiving partial approvals. Canada, Denmark, and some others have their claims pending. The US has not ratified UNCLOS, but generally observes its provisions. The central Arctic Ocean remains international waters, open for navigation and fishing under UNCLOS. Which countries are interested in the Arctic? While Arctic coastal states naturally have the strongest claims and interests in resource development, shipping, and security, countries like the US, Russia, and China are competing to gain an upper hand. US President Donald Trump's remarks about wanting to buy Greenland should be seen in this context. China: A non-Arctic power operating in the waters Calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” China has expanded its research and commercial shipping activity in the region. The Asian power is testing new maritime routes and building icebreaker capacity in the Arctic. Countries and entities with observer status in the Arctic Council, including India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the European Union, have invested in scientific research, mining projects, and shipping infrastructure to gain a foothold in the region. Militarising the Arctic De facto enforcement of the Arctic Ocean is carried out by countries like the US using Coast Guard patrols to maintain presence and monitor foreign vessels. Russia maintains the largest military presence and extensive Arctic bases, asserting control over roughly half of the Arctic coastline. Canada and Norway also regulate shipping in their waters while pursuing resource extraction. In this context, the US commissioning of new icebreakers and plans to acquire more gain significance. The aim is to secure strategic influence, protect shipping routes, and gain access to mineral resources, particularly in Greenland. The days when the Arctic could become a conflict zone are not far away, given the current level of intensifying activity around the slowly unfreezing ocean.

<p>The US has commissioned its first icebreaker in 25 years, as melting of Arctic ice opens up more shipping routes and scramble for untapped resources. China and Russia are also racing for dominance.</p>

Humans are coming: Arctic resource race to intensify with first US icebreaker in 25 years - Why this scramble?

<p>The Danish Armed Forces led NATO's Arctic Light 2025 without the US from September 9 to September 19. The drill combined 550 military personnel from Denmark and NATO allies. Russia has condemned the operations. Russian ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, said that the Danes are persistently strengthening their military presence and are being pushed to strengthen their role in the security of Europe. Russia has called the Arctic light a direct security threat and a direct counter to Russia's Zapad. &nbsp;The drill is NATO's attempt to gain independent control of the security of the Arctic, as the United States continue to threaten the sovereignty of Greenland. The move to not invite the US military coincides with the months of tension with the US on the island.&nbsp;</p><h2>Arctic Light 2025</h2><p>Arctic Light 2025 was a 10-day military drill that was led by Denmark, along with participation from Norway, Sweden, France, and Germany. It had a mixture of naval, land, air and special forces drills. There were Danish frigates HDMS Niels Juel and fighter jets like F-16, a French naval vessel, Multi Role Tanker Transport and Mountain Infantry equipped with drones. Germany, Sweden and Norway contributed with army personnel. There were live firing drills, special operations and sea rescue operations to increase the interoperability of the forces.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇩🇰 F-16s fly from Greenland, refuelled by a 🇫🇷 MRTT, proving Allied airpower reaches across the High North.<br><br>Exercise Arctic Light 25 trains 🇩🇰🇫🇷🇸🇪🇳🇴🇩🇪 forces together - boosting readiness, air interoperability &amp; Arctic security.<br><br>🔗 Read more: <a href="https://t.co/VkxEdufqPC">https://t.co/VkxEdufqPC</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Vn98PCtf5">pic.twitter.com/2Vn98PCtf5</a></p>&mdash; NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/NATO_AIRCOM/status/1968685057494692272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Denmark's growing wariness of Russia</h2><p>The Arctic Light 2025 had signs of the NATO-Russia military fortification along the Baltic to Arctic frontier.&nbsp;</p><p>“I think it’s fair to say that Russia has built up in the Arctic for the last 20 years, and Russia is a regional superpower in the Arctic," said Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen to Associated Press.&nbsp;</p><p>Denmark perceives Russia as a threat, and when the war in Ukraine ends, "I think most of us working in this business ... think that Russia will start building up again in other places and use their resources not in Ukraine, but other places in the world,” said Andersen.&nbsp;</p><p>The present war between Russia and Ukraine is limited to Eastern Europe, but it could escalate to the Arctic at any moment. Russia has repeatedly accused Europe of pressuring the US President to take military action in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that any deployment of NATO forces would be considered an occupation and would sabotage the peace process.&nbsp;</p><h2>Why was the US not invited?</h2><p>US President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that he wants to take control of Greenland and will not rule out taking control of the island by military force. The semiautonomous mineral-rich region of Greenland is a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Both Denmark and Greenland have said that the island is not for sale. In August, Denmark summoned US diplomats in Copenhagen for a dressing down after reports of covert operations by the US to influence Greenland.&nbsp;</p><p>The Arctic Light 2025 did not have any US military personnel in it. Denmark maintains US is a friendly nation, and it has asked Pete Hegseth to be present for the drill. But no invitation for the US military hints at the growing dissatisfaction within Denmark with the US authority over Greenland.</p><p>“We have worked together with the U.S. for decades, both in exercises and also operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and so on,” said Andersen. So it will be the same this week. US and Denmark pilots will have a joint operation later in the week United States’ Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland.&nbsp;</p>

Denmark led NATO’s Arctic Light 2025 drill without US forces. Russia calls it a direct threat, as tensions grow over Greenland’s sovereignty.

The Danish Armed Forces led NATO's Arctic Light 2025 without the US from September 9 to September 19. The drill combined 550 military personnel from Denmark and NATO allies. Russia has condemned the operations. Russian ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, said that the Danes are persistently strengthening their military presence and are being pushed to strengthen their role in the security of Europe. Russia has called the Arctic light a direct security threat and a direct counter to Russia's Zapad. The drill is NATO's attempt to gain independent control of the security of the Arctic, as the United States continue to threaten the sovereignty of Greenland. The move to not invite the US military coincides with the months of tension with the US on the island. Arctic Light 2025 Arctic Light 2025 was a 10-day military drill that was led by Denmark, along with participation from Norway, Sweden, France, and Germany. It had a mixture of naval, land, air and special forces drills. There were Danish frigates HDMS Niels Juel and fighter jets like F-16, a French naval vessel, Multi Role Tanker Transport and Mountain Infantry equipped with drones. Germany, Sweden and Norway contributed with army personnel. There were live firing drills, special operations and sea rescue operations to increase the interoperability of the forces.

<p>Denmark led NATO’s Arctic Light 2025 drill without US forces. Russia calls it a direct threat, as tensions grow over Greenland’s sovereignty.</p>

Russia condemns Denmark led NATO’s Arctic Light 2025 without US amid tensions over Greenland

arctic-security-nato

Arctic Security Nato, News on Arctic Security Nato, stories on Arctic Security Nato, articles on Arctic Security Nato, Arctic Security Nato stories at Wion, Arctic Security Nato news, Arctic Security Nato latest news

arctic security-nato

Humans are coming: Arctic resource race to intensify with first US icebreaker in 25 years - Why this scramble?

Russia condemns Denmark led NATO’s Arctic Light 2025 without US