Construction of Arctic Security Cutters
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct:
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISOR
SUBJECT: Construction of Arctic Security Cutters
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct:
Section 1. Purpose. The United States faces an urgent and growing threat in the Arctic region posed by strategic competition, aggressive military posturing, and economic encroachment by foreign adversaries. These actions undermine United States sovereignty; jeopardize critical shipping lanes; and threaten energy, mineral, and national defense interests.
The United States Coast Guard’s fleet of icebreakers and Arctic-capable vessels remains insufficient to meet current operational demands and presents a national security risk.
Sec. 2. Restriction on Construction of Vessels in Foreign Shipyards. (a) Pursuant to 14 U.S.C. 1151(b) and 10 U.S.C. 8679(b), I find that it is in the national security interest of the United States to construct up to four Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) abroad. Within 60 days of the date of this memorandum, the United States Coast Guard, through the Secretary of Homeland Security, informed by the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, shall submit to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a plan to phase the construction of ASCs in a manner that promotes the on-shoring of expertise necessary to build follow-on icebreakers domestically.
(b) This memorandum shall not preclude continued investment in the United States industrial base or future domestic construction of ASCs. Rather, it is a time-limited measure to bridge a critical capability gap.