6. Department of State · Notable · Needs Congress
Expand Navy and Coast Guard fleets, including icebreaker acquisitions
Printed page 190 6. Department of State
“It is imperative that the Navy and Coast Guard continue to expand their fleets, including planned icebreaker acquisitions, to assure Arctic access for the United States and other friendly actors.”
What has happened
- Done
The President authorized construction of up to four Arctic Security Cutters abroad under 14 U.S.C. 1151(b), informed by the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, as a four-year bridge while icebreaker construction expertise is on-shored, and directed a phasing plan within 60 days.
- Done
Enacted. P.L. 119-21 adds a new Coast Guard subchapter appropriating $4,300,000,000 for procurement of Polar Security Cutters, $3,500,000,000 for Arctic Security Cutters, $816,000,000 for light and medium icebreaking cutters and $300,000,000 for homeporting the polar icebreaker commissioned in 2025, alongside the wider cutter and shore-facility program; section 20002 adds Navy shipbuilding money including $4,600,000,000 for a second Virginia-class submarine in FY2026, $5,400,000,000 for two additional guided-missile destroyers and procurement and advance procurement for Landing Ship Medium. Both fleets expanded and the planned icebreaker acquisitions funded.
Research log
What was searched, and what didn’t count as evidence
Research notes
Every source this Status rests on is allowlisted and was read in full; none of it was off the allowlist or unreadable.
- Action
- expand
- Object
- Navy and Coast Guard fleets and icebreaker acquisitions
- ID
- 509