Canadian shipbuilder Davie has finalized a $3.5 billion contract with the U.S. Coast Guard for the Arctic Security Cutter program, anchoring the service’s effort to rebuild its polar fleet. Construction will be split between Davie’s Helsinki Shipyard in Finland — drawing on decades of icebreaker engineering experience — and the company’s newly acquired U.S. yard in Texas, satisfying domestic build-content expectations.

The award marks a key milestone in the 11-ship Arctic Security Cutter procurement, which is structured across multiple yards including Bollinger and RMC. The Coast Guard currently operates only two functional polar-class icebreakers, and the new medium-icebreaker class is intended to deliver year-round Arctic operating capability. First-of-class delivery is expected later this decade as the program ramps in both Helsinki and Texas in parallel.