00:00NATO allies have promised Donald Trump they can help secure the Arctic.
00:04But Reuters reports they still have major work to do.
00:07Russia has built a powerful northern military presence,
00:11including 42 operational icebreakers,
00:14while the United States has only two.
00:16The Arctic is becoming more important as melting ice opens new routes
00:21and as Russia strengthens bases across its northern territory.
00:25One key focus is the Kola Peninsula,
00:27which hosts around two-thirds of Russia's second-strike nuclear capabilities.
00:32NATO allies are now stepping up exercises through Arctic sentry.
00:36Around 30,000 troops joined recent drills in Norway,
00:39training for operations in extreme cold and difficult terrain.
00:43But experts say the cost could be enormous.
00:46New submarines, satellites, drones, sensors, and ice-capable ships
00:51may require hundreds of billions of dollars.
00:54The challenge is not only Russia's military build-up,
00:57but also keeping the United States fully committed,
01:01as Arctic security becomes a central NATO test.
