Russia's Northern Fleet and the Oil Industry—Rivals or Partners?

Abstract

Described as one of the world's most promising new energy provinces, the European Arctic is no longer primarily seen as a military playground. Russia's approach to the region is increasingly governed by national economic interests rather than by national security interests. The development of offshore oil and gas fields, the construction of new pipelines and terminals, the increasing traffic of oil tankers to Western Europe and the United States, and the conversion of naval yards to civilian production represent both new challenges and new opportunities for the Russian Navy. Issues that were previously considered crucial to the country's national security have slowly but steadily been “desecuritized,” and new patterns of civil—military relations have emerged. This article discusses the relationship between the Russian petroleum industry and the Northern Fleet and the interplay between Russian commercial and military interests in the post—cold war European Arctic.