Overview
- The Coast Guard, which finalized the Davie Defense contract Wednesday, set delivery of the first cutter in 2028 and all five by February 2035.
- Three ships will be built at Gulf Copper facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, while two will come from Helsinki Shipyard in Finland under a U.S.-Canada-Finland ICE Pact that taps proven expertise.
- This award is the first fully defined deal in an 11-cutter program, with separate agreements for two ships at Rauma Marine Constructions and four at Bollinger Shipyards still awaiting final terms.
- Funding comes from the FY2025 reconciliation package that provides $25 billion for Coast Guard upgrades, with over $13 billion already ordered, plus Texas yard investments that include a June 1 Galveston groundbreaking and up to $1 billion for facilities.
- Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said the cutters will help assert U.S. sovereignty and secure northern approaches, a goal made urgent by a small existing fleet that includes one heavy and two medium icebreakers.