Coast Guard Finalizes Contracts for 11 Arctic Security Cutters, Fulfilling Executive Fleet Expansion Directive
WASHINGTON — The United States Coast Guard announced today that it has completed the award of contracts for the acquisition of 11 Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), finalizing a major procurement initiative to rapidly expand the nation’s icebreaking capabilities. The move fulfills a presidential directive aimed at bolstering American presence and security in the high north.
The announcement marks the culmination of an accelerated acquisition strategy driven by the Trump administration to address a critical gap in polar readiness. The final contract in the series has been awarded to Davie Defense, a Canadian shipbuilder, for the construction of five Arctic Security Cutters. This follows previous awards to Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards for four vessels and Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions for two vessels.
“This completion of contract awards represents a decisive move to guarantee American security in the Arctic,” a Coast Guard spokesperson stated. “By leveraging the industrial capacity of our allies alongside American shipyards, we are ensuring the rapid delivery of a modern fleet capable of upholding U.S. sovereignty and protecting national interests.”
The 11-ship program is structured under the trilateral “ICE Pact” framework, a strategic partnership between the United States, Canada, and Finland designed to pool resources and expertise. The procurement plan authorizes the construction of a limited number of vessels abroad to expedite deployment while simultaneously building domestic capacity.
Under the finalized production schedule, the first vessels are expected to be delivered by the Finnish partners in 2028, providing an immediate boost to the Coast Guard’s operational fleet. Subsequent vessels built by Bollinger Shipyards in the United States and Davie Defense are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2029.
The Arctic Security Cutter is a new class of medium polar icebreaker designed to operate in the challenging maritime environment of the Arctic. Each vessel will be capable of breaking through ice up to four feet thick and will possess a range of approximately 12,000 nautical miles, allowing for extended patrols without resupply.
Strategic analysts have noted that the rapid expansion of the icebreaker fleet is a direct response to increasing activity in the Arctic region by potential adversaries. With receding sea ice opening new shipping lanes and access to natural resources, the region has become a focal point of geopolitical competition. The new fleet is intended to ensure the United States maintains a continuous surface presence to monitor commerce, enforce international law, and support search and rescue operations.
The total program, estimated at approximately $6.1 billion, represents one of the most significant investments in the Coast Guard’s polar capabilities in decades. The diverse contracting approach aims to mitigate the risks associated with a single shipbuilder and ensure that the Coast Guard can meet its target of a fully operational Arctic fleet by the early 2030s.
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