Russia has plans to establish a special ‘Polar Brigade’ close to the border of Norway and Finland for actions in the Arctic in Pechenga, Russian Army head general Colonel Aleksander Postnikov has said.

The number of brigades will be increased from 70 to 109 by 2020, he added at a meeting in the Federation Council’s Committee for Defence and Security.

The new brigade will be specially equipped for military warfare in Arctic conditions with DT-30P Vityaz tracked vehicles, in addition to multiservice army equipment, other armoured vehicles and tanks.

Pechenga currently hosts units from the 200 motorised infantry brigade, according to the Barents Observer.