The U.S. Coast Guard said on Feb. 11 it has completed the award of contracts for 11 Arctic Security Cutters, fulfilling a directive from President Donald Trump to expand the nation’s icebreaker fleet and strengthen U.S. operations in the Arctic.
The latest award covers construction of up to five cutters and completes the President’s initial order, marking what the Coast Guard described as a milestone in U.S. Arctic capability, according to a service statement.
Davie Defense, Inc. will build two of the vessels at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland and three in the United States. The cutters are intended to defend U.S. sovereignty, secure shipping lanes, protect energy and mineral resources and counter foreign influence in the Arctic region, the Coast Guard said.
“Awarding these contracts ensures the United States maintains its leadership as a maritime power in the Arctic,” Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said in the statement. The first Arctic Security Cutter is expected to be delivered in early 2028.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the expansion was needed as rival nations increase their Arctic presence. “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,” Noem said.
The announcement comes amid growing concern among U.S. officials about China’s rapid buildup of icebreakers and polar-capable vessels. In January, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, serving as special envoy to Greenland, warned in a Fox & Friends interview that Americans “should be concerned” about Arctic security due to Beijing’s expansion.
“The Chinese have built more icebreakers in one year than the United States has built in the history of the country,” Landry said. “They’re not building those icebreakers for fun, they’re building them in order to gain control in the Arctic.”
WATCH: US Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry says "serious discussions" underway for a deal for Greenland — Fox News interview pic.twitter.com/Bcj7X1LWZJ
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U.S. officials have described an emerging “icebreaker gap” as China increases its polar fleet while the United States struggles with delays in new construction. The United States has not built a new heavy polar icebreaker since the 1970s, relying primarily on aging vessels such as the Polar Star and Healy, according to Congressional Research Service data.
The Coast Guard currently operates a small polar fleet of about three vessels, while awaiting delivery of new ships under the Polar Security Cutters program, with the first expected around 2030, according to Coast Guard statements.
A temporary step came with the acquisition of the former commercial vessel Aiviq, renamed USCGC Storis, which was commissioned in August 2025 and now serves as a medium polar icebreaker, the Coast Guard said in a prior release.
By contrast, China has commissioned several new polar and research icebreakers over the past decade, including Xue Long 2 in 2019 and Ji Di in 2024, according to Chinese and U.S. maritime reporting. U.S. officials say those vessels are primarily research-focused but capable of operating in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
The Coast Guard said the Arctic Security Cutters will support border defense, maritime commerce and crisis response, and form part of its Force Design 2028 modernization effort to create a more agile and capable service.
Landry said China’s expanding presence highlights the strategic importance of the new U.S. vessels. He warned that Arctic competition is increasingly tied to shipping routes, energy resources and regional influence.
“They’re building them in order to gain control in the Arctic,” Landry said, referring to China’s icebreakers, as U.S. officials push to accelerate construction through domestic and international partnerships.
