Alaska-based icebreakers latest U.S. move to reassert presence in North
The U.S. has announced that its initial two Arctic Security Cutters will be stationed in Alaska, part of an ongoing push to reassert American pressence in the Arctic.
“Homeporting these two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska is a decisive step forward in securing America’s Arctic frontier,” Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said in a statement, stressing the need to deter foreign adversaires.
The vessels, the first produced as part of an United States, Canada, and Finland icebreaker cooperation agreement, are expected to be ready in 2028.
The ICE Pact agreement between the three countries was signed in November 2025 in an effort to boost construction of icebreakers capable of operating in the Arctic.
B.C shipbuilder Seaspan Shipyards, will be one of the companies, along with Bollinger Shipyards, Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions and Aker Arctic Technology Inc., to build the six new vessels that will be designed to function in extreme polar environments.
Air space buzzing and Chinese and Russia presence off the coast of Alaska has increased in recent years.
“By strategically positioning these state-of-the-art icebreakers in Alaska, the Coast Guard will maximize our ability to defend our northern border and approaches, while reinforcing America’s maritime dominance in a crucial region of strategic importance,” Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard said.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: New military sleeping bags not suitable for ‘typical Canadian winter’: Canadian Army, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark’s Arctic, North Atlantic focus: Canada among new defence attaché posts, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: NATO to set up northern land command in eastern Finland, Reuters
Iceland: RAF Squadron begins NATO airspace patrols in Iceland, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Military experts suspect sabotage at Andøya in Arctic Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Murmansk region of Arctic Russia targeted in drone attack, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden will lead NATO troops in northern Finland, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: US Army sends heavy equipment to Arctic Norwegian port for transfer to Finland, The Independent Barents Observer
