Sea-ice drag as a function of deformation and ice cover: Effects on simulated sea ice and ocean circulation in the Arctic

•First implementation of variable drag coefficients in a coupled sea ice-ocean model.•Simulated drag coefficients fall into the range of measured values.•The ice moves faster leading to a volume reduction in the Arctic Basin.•The use of variable drag coefficients improve the realism of model simulations.•Effects are visible in the surface ocean layer and reach the ocean interior.