ST. PETERSRBURG. Dec 6 (Interfax) - Reconstruction of the airfields on the Novaya Zemlya, New Siberian Islands and Franz Joseph Land archipelagoes could be completed in the next few years, the Northern Fleet's commander Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov said.
"Work is under way to reconstruct the airfields on the islands of the Novaya Zemlya, New Siberian Islands and Josef Franz Land [Russia's northernmost airfield] archipelagoes. Over the next few years, with the reconstruction finished, most of Russia's Arctic airfields will become all-season and be able to receive all types of aircraft," Yevmennov said at a panel session called "Comprehensive Security Provision in the Polar Region," during the eighth international forum "Arctic: Present And Future" on Wednesday.
Similar reconstruction projects are envisaged for the sea ports of Dikson, Tiksi and Pevek as part of the implementation of the government's Arctic policy and president's instructions regarding the development of the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic shore, he said. "This should enable [Russia] to promptly respond to emerging threats to navigation safety on the entire length of the Northern Sea Route," Yevmenov said.