Davie Defense has been awarded a U.S. Coast Guard contract to build five Arctic Security Cutters, a new class of polar icebreaker for Arctic operations. The award covers part of a program of up to 11 ASCs authorised by the Presidential Memorandum “Construction of Arctic Security Cutters.”
Two of the cutters will be built in Finland at Davie Defense’s sister yard, Helsinki Shipyard, while three are to be built at Davie’s facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. The yard said building in Finland will help it meet the USCG’s schedule for first delivery in 2028.
Kai Skvarla, chief executive of Davie Defense, said the company was “deeply honored” by the award and said the arrangement combines Texas construction with Helsinki Shipyard’s icebreaker experience.
“We’re deeply honored by this vote of confidence,” Kai Skvarla said. “We can’t wait to get started on delivering mission-ready cutters to our valued U.S. Coast Guard partner.”
Davie said the ASC design is based on a platform with seven previous variants delivered from Helsinki Shipyard, all of which are in service today. INOCEA, Davie Defense’s parent group, acquired Gulf Copper & Manufacturing’s shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur in 2025.