Canada eyes control over Arctic Lomonosov Ridge
In its bid to provide evidence about the extension of its Arctic shelf, the Canadian government has commissioned two mini-submarines, which are to be sent on missions to the disputed Lomonosov Ridge.
The two vessels are being built by Vancouver-based International Submarine Engineering Ltd. in a four million USD deal with Natural Resources Canada, Defence Research and Development Canada and other federal agencies, Canada.com reports.
The submersibles which are to be launched in 2010, will be sent on a series of 400-kilometre missions north and west of Ellesmere Island, Canada’s northernmost land mass and the country’s gateway to the open Arctic Ocean. There, the vessels are to help find evidence supporting Canada’s claim for the Alpha and Lomonosov ridges.
The six-metre-long, 1,800-kilogram submersibles will be able to operate at depths of up to 5,000 metres.
Read more about the project at the website of the International Submarine Engineering Ltd
