US Coast Guard To Award First Icebreaker Construction Contract In Spring - Commander

Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published March 22, 2019 | 05:30 AM

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd March, 2019) The US Coast Guard will issue its first construction contract for its Polar Security Cutter icebreaker program this spring, Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz said during the annual state-of-the-Coast Guard speech.

"We need six ice breakers, at least three of which must be polar security cutters, and today I'm proud to say we will award the construction contract this spring for the first one," Schultz said on Thursday.

This contract will mark the first US icebreaker to be built in a decade, US Senator Lisa Murkowski said in a statement earlier this month.

Schultz highlighted the importance of the icebreakers as countries are competing for influence and resources in the Arctic region. Hence, the Polar Security Cutter acquisition program is critical to national security, he added.