Future USCGC Pickering (Image: Austal USA)
Looks like good news. Don’t expect all of this money to be spent in FY2026. It will be spread over several years. Normally this might have been spread over several years of the normal budgetary process, but a long term commitment really is a good thing. Shipyards are hesitant to invest in improvements if future contracts are in doubt.
The releases refers to an “estimated 17 new icebreakers, 21 new cutters…” I will try to break that down.
Looks like two Polar Security Cutters ($4.3 billion) and three Arctic Security Cutters so perhaps 12 light and medium Icebreaking Cutters from $816M. These are not medium icebreakers by the usual CG definition (20,000 to 45,000 SHP). There has already been a Request for Information (RFI) that referred to “two types of interest “DOMICE-M” domestic icebreaker, medium and “DOMICE-L,” domestic icebreaker, light” to replace the icebreaking tugs both 140 foot (nine ships) and 65 foot. (The RFI seemed unnecessarily limiting.)
Since the funding for a specifically Great Lakes icebreaker has been removed while the FRI for the Arctic Security Cutter specified a ship capable of transiting the Saint Lawrence Seaway, I expect we may see one or more Arctic Security Cutters seasonally assigned to break ice in the Great Lakes.
As to the 21 new cutters, we know nine will be OPCs (“$4.3B), presumably fully funding all remaining options in the existing contract with Austal for OPCs 5-15. I doubt they included the three Waterways Commerce Cutters ($162M) in the 21, so that suggests probably twelve more Fast Response Cutters ($1B).
U.S. Coast Guard receives historic investment to rebuild under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard welcomed the nearly $25 billion investment included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Friday — marking the largest single commitment of funding in Service history.
This investment strengthens every facet of Coast Guard operations and supports the Service’s role as the Nation’s leading drug interdiction and maritime border security force.
This funding will allow the Coast Guard to procure an estimated 17 new icebreakers, 21 new cutters, over 40 helicopters and six C-130J aircraft while modernizing shore infrastructure and maritime surveillance systems. The package also strengthens the Coast Guard’s ability to counter drug and human trafficking, conduct search and rescue, enhance navigational safety and enable maritime trade.
“This historic investment marks a new era for the Coast Guard,” said Coast Guard Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday. “It reflects the strong support of the American people and empowers us to restore our Service and prepare for the challenges of today and tomorrow. With this level of support, and the dedication of our Coast Guard men and women, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to build a stronger Coast Guard for the Nation.”
Investment highlights include:
- $4.4 billion for shore infrastructure, training facilities and homeports
- $4.3 billion for Polar Security Cutters, extending U.S. reach in the Arctic
- $4.3 billion for nine new Offshore Patrol Cutters
- $3.5 billion for three Arctic Security Cutters
- $2.3 billion for more than 40 MH-60 helicopters
- $2.2 billion for depot level maintenance to sustain readiness
- $1.1 billion for six new HC-130J aircraft and simulators
- $1 billion for Fast Response Cutters
- $816 million for light and medium Icebreaking Cutters
- $266 million for long-range unmanned aircraft systems
- $170 million for maritime domain awareness, including next-generation sensors
- $162 million for three Waterways Commerce Cutters
These investments support Force Design 2028 — the Secretary’s comprehensive effort to modernize operations and capabilities to ensure the Coast Guard remains the finest maritime fighting force ready to protect and defend the nation for decades to come.
The Coast Guard extends its appreciation for the leadership of the Administration, including President Trump and Secretary Noem, and leaders in Congress for recognizing the strategic importance of a ready, modern and resilient Coast Guard.
About the U.S. Coast Guard
With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, 25,000 miles of navigable rivers and 4.5 million square miles of U.S. exclusive economic zone, the U.S. Coast Guard defends the Nation, protects the maritime transportation system, regulates and safeguards ports and waterways, leads the Nation in drug interdiction and secures the maritime border. As a member of the joint force, a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency and a member of the U.S. intelligence community, the Coast Guard employs a unique mix of authorities to ensure the safety and integrity of the maritime domain to protect the economic and national security of the nation. The more than 55,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of more than 250 cutters, 200 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, 1,600 boats and its own dedicated cyber command to protect critical maritime infrastructure.
More information about the U.S. Coast Guard can be found at www.uscg.mil. Follow @USCG on X and Instagram, like us on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube and follow LinkedIn — connect with us.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Also included is this:
$500,000,000 is provided for– “(i) construction, improvement, and dredging at the Coast Guard Yard; and “(ii) acquisition of a floating drydock for the Coast Guard Yard;
This is how the CG section of the bill starts off,
“Sec. 1181. Special appropriations “In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $24,593,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2029, notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1105(a) and sections 1131, 1132, 1133, and 1156, to use expedited processes to procure or acquire new operational assets and systems, to maintain existing assets and systems, to design, construct, plan, engineer, and improve necessary shore infrastructure, and to enhance operational resilience for monitoring, search and rescue, interdiction, hardening of maritime approaches, and navigational safety, of which–
Sounds like it has to be spent by the end of FY2029.
Thanks for translating, I struggled with the press release part, and yes if they can commit to a solid multi-year multi-vessel budget yards will be more willing to upgrade and train new workers. Welding fabrication is a tough job, takes a while to become skilled at it.
I looked at the text of the bill and there are still parts I don’t understand. I also looked at the rules for reconciliation bills and they are extremely complex. Apparently the original purpose was to reduce debut but that is no longer the case.
Always much easier to read the President submitted budget than what Congress finally approves. Drives me nuts.
We usually just see the justification, which is shorter and less detailed. I suspect that is all some of the Congressmen read as well.
For one person to read and understand every line item of a budget document that runs to a thousand pages, is virtually impossible.
I suspect many of our elected people don’t read much of a bill until someone nails them against the wall for some smelly feature.
They should be able to get a lot of the shore-side stuff done as virtually all facilities have lists of things that need to be done and the work is spread out over the entire country, so it can be nibbled in small (relatively speaking) local projects