On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) announced that it had ordered five medium polar icebreakers, designated Arctic Security Cutters (ASC), from Davie Defense, as part of a broader program to build a total of 11 vessels.
Image: Davie Defense
They will join six vessels recently contracted from Bollinger Shipyards and Finland’s RMC Defence (part of Rauma Marine Constructions), based on the Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design developed by Canada’s Seaspan Shipyards. However, the design of the subsequent vessels will differ from that of the initial six.
“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.”
Under the terms of the agreement, similar to the previous contract, the first vessels will be built by partners in Finland, which the administration of Donald Trump selected last fall as a strategic ally in the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact).
Davie Defense, Inc. will construct the first two icebreakers at the Helsinki Shipyard in the Finnish capital, while the remaining three will be built at shipyards in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. The first vessel from Finland is scheduled to be delivered to the customer in early 2028.
Kai Skvarla, Chief Executive Officer of Davie Defense, Inc., said:
“We’re deeply honored by this vote of confidence. 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 ASC icebreaker design from Davie Defense, Inc. is based on a proven platform, seven previous variants of which were delivered by Helsinki Shipyard. All of them are currently in service.
Davie Defense, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of INOCEA Group, a British maritime group with operations in Finland, Canada, and the United States. In 2025, it acquired the shipyard assets of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing in Galveston and Port Arthur.
James Davies, Co-Founder, INOCEA Group, said:
“This contract underscores our role as a trusted Arctic shipbuilding partner to the U.S. Coast Guard. As strategic competition in the Arctic accelerates, we are fully committed to delivering world-class icebreakers capable of enabling sustained operations.”
Alex Vicefield, Co-Founder, INOCEA Group, said:
“Our focus is on disciplined execution for the U.S. Coast Guard – combining proven designs with Helsinki Shipyard’s world-leading expertise helping re-establish world-class shipbuilding capability in Texas, where we will deliver cutters on-time and on-budget.”
Eleven medium Arctic Security Cutters (ASC), based on two different designs, will join three heavy Polar Security Cutters (PSC) to be built by Bollinger Shipyards, addressing urgent national security needs in the Arctic region. Construction of the vessels is funded under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Both the ASC and PSC are part of the Force Design 2028 program initiated by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
AMERICAN ARCTIC DOMINANCE.
Under the leadership of @POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem, America is countering the presence of our adversaries in the Arctic by equipping the Coast Guard with Arctic Security Cutters to reassert our maritime dominance in the region.
Revitalizing @USCG… pic.twitter.com/22zQeBTJaY
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) February 11, 2026
A decisive move to guarantee American security in the Arctic.
Today, the Coast Guard announced it has completed the award of contracts for 11 Arctic Security Cutters, fulfilling President Trump’s directive to rapidly expand America’s icebreaker fleet. The latest award is for… pic.twitter.com/a9Yr6eoPdm
— U.S. Coast Guard (@USCG) February 11, 2026