A Letter to UA Leadership
By Nicholas Alexander
Over the past few years, Russian and Chinese incursions into U.S. territory have become more frequent and more brazen. On September 24, 2025, multiple Russian aircraft, including Tu-95 “Bear” long-range bombers and Su-35 fourth-generation fighters, breached the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). U.S. forces responded with multiple air assets, including F-16 fighter jets and KC-135 tankers. On July 6–7, 2024, four Chinese naval vessels entered the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) following a joint Chinese-Russian naval patrol. The patrol group included a Chinese naval destroyer and a guided-missile cruiser. A U.S. Coast Guard cutter and U.S. Air Force HC-130 were deployed to track their movements. These are only two examples, one by air and one by seal, among dozens of incursions in the past two years.
These events highlight the urgent need to strengthen the U.S. military presence in Alaska, with particular emphasis on air and naval capabilities. That is why I applaud President Donald Trump’s announcement to build up to four Arctic Security Cutters (ASC). These ships will bolster America’s presence in the Arctic, enhance deterrence, and provide flexible tools to counter hostile activity in the North Pacific.
This is a major opportunity for the University of Alaska (UA) system. Regardless of where shipyard construction ultimately occurs, UA can help lead the advancement of Arctic naval technology. Our engineers are among the world’s best at designing for Arctic and sub-Arctic conditions and have experience partnering with the defense sector. Through joint ventures with private shipbuilders and partnerships with peer research institutions, they can help shape the next generation of Arctic vessels. Many public and private institutions would welcome UA engineers as visiting fellows or senior researchers, especially those with project experience. To facilitate these placements, the UA system would share in the costs and, as a condition of one- to two-year appointments, require participants to return to UA to drive institutional knowledge transfer through teaching, research, and project development. Foreign research institutions would likewise be eager to exchange senior researchers and faculty to strengthen this two-way flow of expertise.
UA already has a strong record of collaboration with the Department of War and other federal agencies on defense-related projects from drones to underwater submersibles. Our engineers, students, and researchers would be an asset to any development team, improving effectiveness while bringing home hard-won experience. Just as importantly, structured knowledge transfer would help UA build a robust talent pipeline for students who want to specialize in Arctic naval systems.
Once a baseline of capability and program experience is established, deeper partnerships with stakeholders throughout industry will naturally follow. This will open more doors for new students, new research centers, co-ops, internships, fellowships, and faculty positions that keep Alaska at the forefront of this technology. With proactive outreach to the current Administration officials, Alaska’s Congressional delegation, business leaders, and academic partners, the UA system can secure a strategic foothold in a field that will define the state’s future. Alaska needs UA’s leadership now. Let’s not wait for opportunities to drift by on the tide. Let’s seize them so the next chapter of Arctic security is written in Alaska, by Alaskans.
From the Author, Nick Alexander – opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or any affiliated organization.