UTA study: U.S. military bases at risk in Artic region
With the Arctic region warming nearly four times the rate of the rest of the globe, a University of Texas at Arlington professor has found that two-thirds of the 79 U.S. military bases located in the region require more preparation against permafrost thaw and rising sea levels.
Vinayak Kaushal, author of the study and associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, said that if more attention is not paid and adequate measures not taken against these environmental shifts, the U.S. may lose billions of dollars and crucial infrastructure.
“The Arctic is a strategic frontier for national security,” Dr. Kaushal said. “These bases are critical for defense operations and emergency response, but their functionality requires proactive measures to make them more resilient and sustainable.”
His study is the result of analyzing published papers that directly or indirectly referenced the conditions of U.S. military bases in the region between 2000 and 2024. It identifies cost-effective adaptation strategies, such as reinforcing existing infrastructure, incorporating advanced geotechnical solutions and leveraging renewable energy systems to reduce environmental impacts.
Kaushal hopes the findings will encourage funding for Arctic resilience projects. He said the government would save money by implementing advanced civil engineering technology at these bases instead of only spending on renovations.
His research also reviews and highlights the broader implications of Arctic warming for military operations worldwide.
“The lessons we learn in the Arctic can serve as a blueprint for adapting military infrastructure in other climate-vulnerable regions,” he said.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of approximately 41,000 students, UT Arlington is the second-largest institution in the UT System. UTA’s combination of outstanding academics and innovative research contributes to its designation as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, a significant milestone of excellence. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving-Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and has earned the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The University ranks in the top five nationally for veterans and their families (Military Times, 2024), is No. 4 in Texas for advancing social mobility (U.S. News & World Report, 2025), and is No. 6 in the United States for its undergraduate ethnic diversity (U.S. News & World Report, 2025). UT Arlington’s approximately 270,000 alumni occupy leadership positions at many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas.