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Trump Acknowledges US Lag in Icebreaker Fleet
(MENAFN) President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the United States lags significantly behind Russia in icebreaker capabilities, highlighting that the US possesses only one vessel of this kind, whereas Moscow operates dozens.
Icebreakers are specially designed ships that can navigate ice-covered waters, enabling maritime operations in areas that would otherwise be unreachable, such as the Arctic.
“You know, we only have one in the whole country,” Trump remarked during a conversation with military personnel on Thursday. “Russia has 48, and we have one, and that’s just ridiculous.”
To address this disparity, Trump explained that the US is collaborating with Finland to construct 11 icebreakers. “We’re doing them in conjunction with Finland and some other people, and they make… 90% of the icebreakers, so they have great expertise,” he said, though he did not specify who the “other people” are.
He added that the vessels are expected to arrive “very soon” and indicated plans to commission an additional 11 afterward.
Trump initially revealed the plan to acquire 11 Finnish-built icebreakers in October, during a meeting with President Alexander Stubb.
The deal, reportedly worth $6.1 billion, anticipates the first delivery by 2028 and is intended to bolster America’s Arctic presence and support efforts to “reassert US maritime dominance.”
On a global scale, Russia remains the leader in icebreaker capacity, operating the largest fleet worldwide.
The country currently maintains over 60 icebreakers and ice-capable vessels, facilitating rapid Arctic development and ensuring the continuity of shipping along the Northern Sea Route.
In March, President Vladimir Putin described the Arctic as a zone of “enormous potential” for trade and development.
Icebreakers are specially designed ships that can navigate ice-covered waters, enabling maritime operations in areas that would otherwise be unreachable, such as the Arctic.
“You know, we only have one in the whole country,” Trump remarked during a conversation with military personnel on Thursday. “Russia has 48, and we have one, and that’s just ridiculous.”
To address this disparity, Trump explained that the US is collaborating with Finland to construct 11 icebreakers. “We’re doing them in conjunction with Finland and some other people, and they make… 90% of the icebreakers, so they have great expertise,” he said, though he did not specify who the “other people” are.
He added that the vessels are expected to arrive “very soon” and indicated plans to commission an additional 11 afterward.
Trump initially revealed the plan to acquire 11 Finnish-built icebreakers in October, during a meeting with President Alexander Stubb.
The deal, reportedly worth $6.1 billion, anticipates the first delivery by 2028 and is intended to bolster America’s Arctic presence and support efforts to “reassert US maritime dominance.”
On a global scale, Russia remains the leader in icebreaker capacity, operating the largest fleet worldwide.
The country currently maintains over 60 icebreakers and ice-capable vessels, facilitating rapid Arctic development and ensuring the continuity of shipping along the Northern Sea Route.
In March, President Vladimir Putin described the Arctic as a zone of “enormous potential” for trade and development.
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