Russia is sending drones to the Arctic in the beginning of 2015

MOSCOW, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Russia's military press service has confirmed the country will be sending drones to the Arctic in early 2015.

"Before the end of the current year specialists with several Orlan-10 sets will arrive at the permanent service base," the press service told Russian news agency Tass. Test flight will begin in the next few months.

The Orlan-10 is a Russian drone with a front propeller, resembling a traditional manned aircraft. The aircraft was first discovered to be in use in early 2014, when one was shot down in Ukraine.

The drones are allegedly meant to do surveillance over coastal areas and to help sea vessels navigate.

Global climate change has caused parts of the Arctic to melt that could create canals for Russian ships to go through, and large deposits of oil and natural gas have been discovered under Arctic ice. It is estimated as much as 30 percent of the world's total oil and natural gas reserves could be below the Arctic.

The U.S. Navy has also expressed intentions of significantly increasing security in the region, fearing ice melt and sea rise could give other country's access to North America from previously unnavigable routes.