Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs)

Waiver Details

Multi-procurement Waiver

Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs): These vessels will control, secure, and defend U.S. borders and maritime priorities, facilitate and secure commerce that is vital to economic prosperity; and ensure the United States Coast Guard and the Nation are prepared to respond to crises or contingencies in the region. This waiver includes components, systems, and materials that are integral to the baseline Canadian Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) and Finland Multi-Purpose Polar Ship (MPPS)-100 designs. These designs will be utilized to procure four (4) ASCs — two (2) each from Rauma Marine Constructions (Rauma, Finland) and Davie Defense/Helsinki Shipyard (Helsinki, Finland). Additionally, these designs will be used for domestic shipbuilding and will include the same foreign sourced components. The items covered by this waiver are highly specialized and integrated systems that collectively define the vessel’s icebreaking and operational capabilities and cannot be easily substituted. Key categories of foreign-sourced items covered by this waiver include, but are not limited to: • Propulsion and Maneuvering Systems: Core icebreaking components such as main diesel-electric engines, azimuthing thrusters, ice-strengthened propellers, and associated power generation and management systems. These are sourced from a limited, specialized global market and are central to the proven MPI design. • Navigation and Mission Systems: Integrated bridge systems, dynamic positioning equipment, advanced sonar and radar arrays, and other critical electronics pre-integrated into the parent design. • Specialized Structural Materials: Specific grades of high-tensile, low-temperature steel and other alloys required for the icebreaking hull and superstructure, which may not be available domestically in the required specifications or timeframe. • Auxiliary and Deck Machinery: Heavy-duty cranes, specialized scientific and towing winches, and anchoring systems designed for extreme Arctic conditions. Additionally, sample specifications requested by Rauma Marine Constructions and Davie Defense/Helsinki Shipyard include but are not limited to: MPI/MPPS vessel specifications, general and topside arrangements, lines, offsets, hull appendage drawings, seakeeping and icebreaking analysis, weight reports, main propulsion, electric and auxiliary systems, and navigation and communications system architecture.

No

12/19/2025

12/22/2025

N/A - PIID has not been created

This waiver fulfills the urgent national security mandate outlined in the Presidential Memorandum, “Construction of Arctic Security Cutters,” dated October 8, 2025. The current Coast Guard (CG) icebreaker fleet is insufficient to control, secure, and defend U.S. territories and address emerging threats in the Arctic. In response, the President directed a comprehensive effort to restore America’s maritime dominance, including rebuilding the nation’s maritime manufacturing capabilities. To meet immediate national security priorities, the President directed the CG to construct up to four ASCs abroad by temporarily waiving statutory requirements under 14 U.S.C. § 1151(b) and 10 U.S.C. § 8679(b) for four years. These statutes generally prohibit the construction of CG vessels or major components in foreign shipyards absent a Presidential waiver. The waiver bridges a critical capability gap in the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base. Concurrently, the President directed CG to develop a plan to transition future production to domestic shipyards and to build additional ASCs to meet long-term national security requirements. On October 9, 2025, the President signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Finland recognizing Finland’s expertise in icebreaker construction and establishing a collaboration to build up to four ASCs in Finnish shipyards. This partnership is designed to accelerate delivery while transferring icebreaker construction expertise and knowledge to the U.S. These actions support Executive Order 14269, Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance. Section 18 of this Order directs agencies to develop a strategy to secure Arctic waterways, promote American prosperity, expand participation in the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base, and pursue acquisition reforms that foster innovation and reduce delays. In support of these objectives, the CG’s plan includes a trilateral “Icebreaker Collaboration Effort” with Canada and Finland to transfer icebreaker construction expertise to the U.S. industrial base.

Dates

12/22/2025

06/20/2026