A 13.000 square metre stockpile housed in seven warehouses is set to be built at Miðnesheiði in the coming weeks. The depot will store tools and resources to build a new airport. The cost runs at 13.5 billion ISK, paid for in full by the United States military, RÚV reports.
Miðnesheiði was the site of an American military base from 1951-2006, as part of the United States’ commitment to provide defences for Iceland. In 2016, the U.S. Navy announced its return to the area to survey Russian submarines.
Today, 200-300 soldiers currently stay at the Miðnesheiði base.
In conversation with RÚV, office head of the Icelandic Foreign Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Jónas Gunnar Allanson said the preparation is part of Iceland’s effort to increase its defence resilience. In light of current international developments, a new airport might be needed rapidly.