The Memorandum invokes presidential authority under 14 U.S.C. 1151(b) and 10 U.S.C. 8679(b) to permit foreign construction as a national security necessity. It directs the U.S. Coast Guard to develop a phased plan that transfers expertise from Finnish shipyards to American facilities, ensuring that follow-on ASCs are produced domestically.
“We have a big order coming up. We’re buying icebreakers. We’re building them together for the most part. We’re doing four over there and seven over here. We negotiated a pretty tough price I think,” President Trump said. He added, “We need these ships very badly because we have a lot of territory. More than anybody. And so I’m very honoured to have this deal.”
President Trump Participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of the Republic of Finland https://t.co/30dZofr3xw
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 9, 2025
The new Memorandum of Understanding with Finland establishes the construction of four Arctic Security Cutters in Finnish shipyards, followed by the building of seven additional ships in the United States. According to the White House, this collaboration will “revitalise the shipbuilding industry of both countries” and ensure the United States can meet its operational demands in the Arctic.
President Stubb confirmed that Finland will deliver the first vessel in 2028, supporting an accelerated schedule to expand U.S. Arctic capabilities. The ships will operate primarily in the Arctic, where they are expected to “address growing strategic competition, aggressive military posturing, and economic encroachment by foreign adversaries.”
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who joined the Oval Office meeting, underscored the deal’s value to his country. “This deal is very important to Finland and our economy. Because our economy is suffering a lot because of Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Orpo said.
The White House noted that the U.S. Coast Guard currently operates just two Arctic Security Cutters, one commissioned in 1976 and another recently converted from a commercial vessel. The Coast Guard has assessed that at least nine ASCs are needed to secure American interests year-round in the Arctic.
Foreign construction is described as a temporary measure intended to bridge the capability gap while fostering domestic expertise and investment. The White House stated that “these ships, most of which will eventually be made in America, will be among the most modern icebreaking vessels in the world.”
Reuters reported that the total of 11 icebreakers—four in Finland, three in Galveston, Texas, and four in Houma, Louisiana—will cost approximately $6.1 billion. The deal is expected to create new jobs in both countries and bring advanced shipbuilding technology and intellectual property to the United States.
President Trump said, “We need icebreakers in the U.S. And if we can get some inexpensively, I’d like to do that.” The White House added that the initiative builds on the President’s previous efforts to accelerate America’s icebreaker programme and restore “America’s status as a great Arctic power” after decades of decline in capability.
By combining U.S. and Finnish expertise, the agreement represents both a national security measure and an industrial revival effort. The Arctic Security Cutter initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening U.S. sovereignty, protecting critical shipping lanes and energy resources, and ensuring strategic presence in one of the world’s most contested regions.
