Sergei Shoigu: Radar and aviation guidance stations are being built on Arctic islands
© Mikhail Fomichev

Sergei Shoigu: Radar and aviation guidance stations are being built on Arctic islands

Radar and aviation guidance stations are being built on Alexandra Island, Wrangel Island and Cape Schmidt in the Arctic, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a State Duma question session, according to the Defense Ministry's website.

"Work is nearing completion on the New Siberian Islands, and the Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos," Shoigu said. "Utilities and other equipment for radar and aviation guidance stations are being built on Alexandra Island, Wrangel Island and Cape Schmidt."

The minister also said that the areas around Alykel Airport, the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago and the islands of Kotelny and Wrangel had been given an environmental clean-up.

‘In all, 156 hectares of land have been cleaned up, and 6,500 tonnes of scrap metal removed," Shoigu said.

According to Sergei Shoigu, the ministry plans to increase the number of troops in the strategic Arctic area in 2017.