Coast Guard Cutters and Polar Icebreakers Procurement Plans and Issues

This book provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring eight National Security Cutters, 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters, and 58 Fast Response Cutters. These 91 planned cutters are intended as replacements for 90 ageing Coast Guard cutters and patrol craft. Additionally discussed is the sustainment and modernization of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet, which performs a variety of missions supporting U.S. interests in polar regions. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Coast Guard funding and modernization requests and acquisition strategies. Congressional decisions could affect the Coast Guard's capabilities and funding requirements, the performance of polar missions and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.