Shtokman support base at Novaya Zemlya
A support base for the Shtokman project will be established at Novaya Zemlya, sources involved in the project development report. So far, the archipelago is most known for its 132 nuclear test launches.
Head of the Russian construction company Arktikstroy, Mr. Sergey Khromtsov, confirms to Regnum that the base will be built on the highly militarized archipelago. He believes the construction of the base can start in about one and a half year.
Gazprom is reported to be engaged in the project plans, which already are starting to materialize, Mr. Khromtsov says.
-The archipelago has an airfield capable of accepting any kind of aircraft and five moorages, which can take any kind of vessel, he says. The islands also have the necessary infrastructure, including a school, a hospital, shops and more, he adds.
The project includes the construction of a compressor station, installations for liquefying of gas, as well as a base for technical repairs.
Novaya Zemlya is closed military area under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. A minor military unit is permanently based on the archipelago. In the Soviet period, a total of 132 nuclear bombs were test launched in the area, 86 of which were atmospheric, 43 underground and 3 under water.
