Facing the need to reinforce its presence in the Arctic, the United States has taken a decisive step with the order to build 11 new polar patrol vessels for the United States Coast Guard. With the final contract awards to Davie Defense, Inc., the directive issued by President Donald Trump—who called for the accelerated expansion of the Arctic fleet—has been implemented, consolidating the largest investment in polar capabilities in more than half a century. This program, known as Arctic Security Cutters (ASC), represents a turning point in the Coast Guard’s ability to ensure control of northern maritime routes amid the growing presence of Russia and other powers in the region.
The new contract complements the previous awards made on December 29, 2025, bringing the total to eleven vessels. These units will form the backbone of a modernized polar fleet for the Coast Guard, aimed at increasing the U.S. presence in the region. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized that “America has been an Arctic nation for more than 150 years, and now we are acting accordingly.” Her remarks reflect the U.S. government’s intention to counter Russian advances in the far north and ensure national security in an increasingly competitive environment.
Construction of the new polar patrol vessels—referred to as cutters within the Coast Guard—will be carried out by Davie Defense, which will initially assemble two units at the Helsinki Shipyard in Finland and three at its facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. This combination of efforts seeks to leverage Finnish expertise in icebreaker design while strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry and accelerating delivery timelines. According to the contract terms, the first Arctic Security Cutter will be delivered in early 2028, confirming compliance with the schedule established by the Coast Guard.
The program is framed within the presidential memorandum “Construction of Arctic Security Cutters,” through which the White House recognized that the United States faces “an urgent and growing threat in the Arctic, stemming from strategic competition and the economic and military advance of foreign adversaries.” The measure authorizes, on an exceptional basis, the construction of up to four units abroad, prioritizing knowledge transfer to domestic shipyards. The document also establishes a four-year validity period, unless renewed by presidential action, and reaffirms the intention to strengthen the U.S. naval industrial base over the long term.
The new Arctic Security Cutter vessels will be designed to operate in extreme conditions. Their architecture is based on proven polar platforms—such as the MPI (Multi-Purpose Icebreaker) variants from the Seaspan consortium and the MPPS (Multi-Purpose Polar Support Ship)—and will integrate Canadian and Finnish systems. Key features include a diesel-electric propulsion suite with azimuth thrusters, the use of high-strength low-temperature steel, high-resolution navigation and surveillance radars, and dynamic positioning equipment, all essential for Arctic operations. These capabilities will allow the ships to break ice, maintain stability in frozen seas, and carry out scientific, logistical, and rescue missions in one of the most challenging environments on the planet.
In addition to their polar capabilities, the new patrol vessels will be tasked with protecting strategic trade routes, ensuring energy security, and responding to environmental and humanitarian emergencies. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin E. Lunday stated that: “Accelerating the construction of these vessels will strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to protect our northern borders and reinforce the national industrial base.” Overall, the Arctic Security Cutter program is integrated into the Force Design 2028 initiative, which aims to transform the Coast Guard into a more agile, modern force prepared for 21st-century challenges, thereby reaffirming U.S. maritime leadership in the Arctic.
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