NATO allies agree to strengthen satellite coverage in Arctic

NATO countries have joined forces to improve satellite coverage in the Arctic, a NATO official said on Friday, a region that is home to Moscow’s nuclear submarine fleet and whose strategic importance has soared due to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
On the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 13 allies signed a letter of intent aiming to establish a secure satellite communications network for the Arctic called Northlink, the official told Reuters.
“The Arctic’s strategic role is becoming ever more important because of the tense geopolitical situation,” said the official who was speaking on condition of anonymity.
“At the same time, the region lacks sufficient satellite coverage for communication and navigation, and thus also for military operations,” he said.
Northlink aims to improve satellite coverage in the coming years by leasing commercial services or sourcing capacities from allies, he added.
The signatories to the project are Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United States.
The Kola Peninsula in the Arctic is home to Russia’s Northern Fleet, which operates the country’s nuclear submarine fleet and holds its “second strike” capability – the ability to
strike back with its own nuclear weapons should it come under nuclear attack.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada : Canadian military says it has tracked, stopped China surveillance in Arctic waters, The Canadian Press
Finland: Russian cyber attacks, espionage pose growing threat to Finnish national security, Yle news
Iceland: Arctic allies meet in Iceland to tackle growing security challenges, climate, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway defence budget to ensure armed forces strong enough to deter Russia, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian defence minister visits naval infantry brigade near Nordic NATO border, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Exercise to strengthen Nordic cooperation on food preparedness, Radio Sweden
United States: Startling video shows Russian fighter jet flying within feet of U.S. F-16 near Alaska, The Associated Press
Is this Enhanced Satellite Communication Project – Polar (ESCP-P) by a new name, or something different?