The U.S. Coast Guard will receive nearly $25 billion in federal funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, marking the largest single investment in the service's history, the agency said in a press release. The appropriation covers new vessel acquisitions, aircraft, facility upgrades, and equipment to support operations including drug interdiction, maritime border enforcement, search and rescue, and navigational safety.
“This historic investment marks a new era for the Coast Guard,” said acting commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday. “It reflects the strong support of the American people and empowers us to restore our Service and prepare for the challenges of today and tomorrow. With this level of support, and the dedication of our Coast Guard men and women, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to build a stronger Coast Guard for the Nation.”
According to the Coast Guard, the funding will support procurement of:
- 17 new icebreakers (including polar, light, and medium ice-class vessels)
- 21 cutters, including Offshore Patrol Cutters, Fast Response Cutters, and Waterways Commerce Cutters
- Over 40 MH-60 helicopters
- Six HC-130J aircraft and simulators
The package also allocates funding to enhance maritime surveillance and shore-side infrastructure. Specific line items include:
- $4.4 billion for shore infrastructure, training facilities, and homeports
- $4.3 billion for Polar Security Cutters
- $4.3 billion for nine Offshore Patrol Cutters
- $3.5 billion for three Arctic Security Cutters
- $2.3 billion for more than 40 MH-60 helicopters
- $2.2 billion for depot-level maintenance to sustain operational readiness
- $1.1 billion for six HC-130J aircraft and related simulators
- $1 billion for Fast Response Cutters
- $816 million for light and medium icebreaking cutters
- $266 million for long-range unmanned aircraft systems
- $170 million for maritime domain awareness, including next-generation sensors
- $162 million for three Waterways Commerce Cutters
The spending supports the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 framework, which focuses on modernizing assets and capabilities to meet current and future operational demands, the press release said.
The investment follows a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released June 25, titled Actions Needed to Address Cutter Maintenance and Workforce Challenges, which highlights operational strain on the Coast Guard’s existing fleet of 241 cutters—vessels 65' or longer with onboard accommodations for crews. The report found that since fiscal year 2019, the availability of cutters to conduct missions has generally declined due in part to increasing equipment failures. According to GAO, serious maintenance issues across the fleet increased by 21%, from 3,134 in fiscal year 2018 to 3,782 in fiscal year 2023. As a result, more cutters are operating in degraded condition and face heightened risk of further maintenance problems.
In the announcement, the Coast Guard acknowledged support from the administration, including President Trump and Secretary Noem, as well as congressional leaders, for recognizing what the service called the "strategic importance of a ready, modern and resilient Coast Guard."
