By making this move, the country aims to ensure its military security in the region. Russia's Federal Agency for Special Construction (Spetsstroy) is currently developing infrastructure facilities on military bases and garrisons in the Far North, Far East and Siberia for 20,000 service members, their families and civilians working for the Ministry of Defense.
Additionally, northern military reservations will be provided with over 190,000 metric tons of construction and inert materials, such as airfield slabs, cement, metal, pipes and electrical components.
The representative noted that the summer months are most convenient for the transportation of all kinds of supplies to remote territories, and that the plan is to take advantage of these favorable weather conditions.
Specifically, Russia is constructing and restoring Severomorsk-1 Airfield on Alexandra Land in the Franz Josef Land archipelago, Rogachevo in Arkhangelsk region, Tiksi in Yakutia, and Temp Airbases on Kotelny Island.
As a major Arctic country, Russia is keen on strengthening its military presence in the region. Its 'North' multiservice strategic command was founded in 2014 for coordinating the Defense Ministry's actions in the northern territories.
Four Russian airfields in the Arctic are already operational. Apart from building new airfields, the country has started to reconstruct a number of objects that were abandoned in the 90s after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
The program to improve Russia's military defense network in the Arctic will continue through 2020.
