The first two Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) will be homeported in Alaska, the Coast Guard announced Thursday.
With delivery of the first vessels anticipated by the end of 2028, the Coast Guard said it has begun infrastructure planning to ensure homeport facilities, including housing, and trained crews are in place in advance.
"Homeporting these two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska is a decisive step forward in securing America's Arctic frontier," said Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. "I want to thank President Trump for his bold leadership and vision in directing this critical investment, as well as Senator Sullivan and the entire Alaskan Congressional delegation for championing the funding that made these icebreakers possible. These vessels will deliver the enduring operational presence our nation needs to protect sovereignty, deter foreign adversaries, and safeguard vital resources for the American people."
The announcement follows contract awards for up to 11 Arctic Security Cutters, backed by $3.5 billion in funding included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Reconciliation Bill. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the United States and Finland in October 2025 helped facilitate the acquisition program. The MOU stemmed from the broader ICE Pact trilateral framework between the U.S., Canada, and Finland, initiated in 2024 to accelerate icebreaker production in response to Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic.
Contracts have been awarded to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy, Rauma, Finland; Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La.; and Davie Defense Inc., Vienna, Va. Under the MOU, Finland will construct up to four ASCs for the Coast Guard, while U.S. shipyards will build and deliver up to seven additional vessels.
Formal construction contracts were signed in late December 2025 and February 2026. Rauma Marine Constructions will build two vessels at its shipyard on Finland's west coast, with the first expected in 2028. Bollinger will construct four cutters at its Houma, La., facility, with the first U.S.-built vessel slated for 2029. Davie Defense will build two additional ASCs at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland and three more at its facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas.
The Bollinger and Rauma vessels will be based on the production-ready Multi-Purpose Icebreaker design developed by Canada's Seaspan Shipyards in partnership with Finland's Aker Arctic Technology. Davie's vessels will use its own fourth-generation Multi-Purpose Polar Support Ship design.
"Homeporting Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska underscores the United States' leadership as a maritime power in the Arctic," said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard. "By strategically positioning these state-of-the-art icebreakers in Alaska, the Coast Guard will maximize our ability to defend our northern border and approaches, while reinforcing America's maritime dominance in a crucial region of strategic importance."
The Coast Guard said the ASCs will form the backbone of a revitalized U.S. icebreaker fleet, with missions encompassing the defense of U.S. sovereignty, protection of critical shipping lanes and energy and mineral resources, and countering foreign influence in the Arctic region. The program is part of the service's broader fleet modernization effort.
