HISTORY AND CURRENT STATE OF ESTABLISHING THE PLANNED ICE FLEET IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Problems of the further exploration of the Arctic region, the foundation for the dynamic development of Russia in the new century, are primarily related to the prospects of the national icebreaker construction industry and further development of the ice channeling tactics. Ice sailing has a long history. Russian engineers stand at the origins of the creation of the first steam-powered icebreakers. They are also the pioneers in the creation of powerful linear icebreakers. Our country has opened the nuclear era in the difficult task of icebreaker construction to the world. At present times, while following the traditions, Russian shipbuilders create fundamentally new diesel-electric and nuclear-powered icebreakers, which in the next three to five years will take to the open spaces of the Arctic, providing a year-round ice channeling through the Northern Sea Route. The article is devoted to the history of Russian icebreaker construction industry and to its current state.

-