The U.S. Coast Guard announced today it has completed the award of contracts for 11 Arctic Security Cutters, fulfilling President Trump’s directive to rapidly expand America’s icebreaker fleet, notably to reinforce U.S. capability and sovereignty in the Arctic region.
The latest award is for construction of up to five Arctic Security Cutters, with Davie Defense constructing two Arctic Security Cutters at its sister facility, Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, and three in the U.S. at the company’s facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas.
“We’re deeply honored by this vote of confidence,” said Kai Skvarla, Chief Executive Officer of Davie Defense. “We can’t wait to get started on delivering mission-ready cutters to our valued U.S. Coast Guard partner. By anchoring construction in Texas, while drawing on Helsinki Shipyard’s proven icebreaker expertise, we can deliver the ASCs to meet the Coast Guard’s operational needs in the world’s harshest environments.”
The contract builds on a previous awards to Bollinger Shipyards and Rauma Marine Constructions of Finland announced in late December, which established a joint U.S.-Finland production framework designed to deliver vessels on an accelerated timeline. Delivery of the first Arctic Security Cutter is expected in early 2028.
“America has been an Arctic nation for over 150 years, and we’re finally acting like it under President Trump. Our adversaries continue to look to grow their presence in the Arctic, equipping the Coast Guard with Arctic Security Cutters will help reassert American maritime dominance there,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “Revitalizing the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking capabilities is crucial for our security and prosperity, and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.”
A robust icebreaker fleet will enable the Coast Guard to control, secure and defend U.S. Alaskan borders and Arctic maritime approaches, facilitate maritime commerce vital to economic prosperity and strategic mobility, and respond to crises and contingencies in the region.
“Awarding these contracts ensures the United States maintains its leadership as a maritime power in the Arctic,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard. “Accelerating construction of these cutters will enable the Coast Guard to defend our northern border and approaches, while strengthening domestic shipbuilding and reinforcing the nation’s industrial base.”
The contracts find their origin in the ICE Pact, a trilateral framework between the United States, Canada, and Finland signed in July 2024 to accelerate icebreaker production in response to Russian and Chinese activities in Arctic regions.
The 11-ship program is based on two distinct designs. The Bollinger and Rauma vessels will be based on Canada’s Seaspan Shipyards’ production-ready Multi-Purpose Icebreaker design, developed in partnership with Finland’s Aker Arctic Technology under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. Davie’s ASC design is based on a different proven platform, with seven previous variants delivered from Helsinki Shipyard already in service.
(Davie Defense image)