(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that the first two Arctic security cutters (ASCs) will be home-ported in Alaska. Anticipating delivery of the first new cutters by the end of 2028, the Coast Guard has begun planning to ensure necessary infrastructure and support are in place to receive two icebreakers.
“Home-porting 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 Sen. (Dan) 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 home-porting of the first two Arctic security cutters in Alaska builds on the historic expansion of the Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet and underscores an unprecedented investment in the Arctic. This announcement marks a national milestone in U.S. Arctic capability, following contract awards for up to 11 Arctic security cutters. Fueled by $3.5 billion in funding in the fiscal year 2025 Reconciliation Bill and facilitated by a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Finland in October 2025, the acquisition of Arctic security cutters will fulfill President Trump’s directive to rapidly deliver America’s newest icebreaker fleet.
“Home-porting Arctic security cutters in Alaska underscores the United States’ leadership as a maritime power in the Arctic,” said Adm. Kevin 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.”
Through contract awards to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy of Rauma, Finland, Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, and Davie Defense of Vienna, Va., the U.S. will immediately benefit from its Finnish partners’ icebreaker expertise while coordinating the onshoring of that expertise and shipbuilding to the United States. Under the MOU, Finland will construct up to four ASCs for the Coast Guard. U.S. shipyards will build and deliver up to seven additional ASCs.
Arctic security cutters will form the backbone of a revitalized U.S. icebreaker fleet, strengthening American maritime dominance in the Arctic. Fielding specialized capabilities, these icebreakers will defend U.S. sovereignty, secure critical shipping lanes, protect energy and mineral resources, and counter foreign malign influence in the Arctic region. 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.
– U.S. Coast Guard
