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yesterday

Coast Guard Commissions USCGC Storis as Third Polar Icebreaker

An interim icebreaker acquisition backed by a $25 billion recapitalization underpins the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 modernization.

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Photo by Annika Hirschler
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Overview

  • USCGC Storis was commissioned on August 10 in Juneau, Alaska, as the Coast Guard’s first new polar icebreaker in more than 25 years, bringing its fleet to three vessels alongside Healy and Polar Star.
  • Formerly the commercial icebreaker Aiviq, the cutter was acquired for $125 million and underwent roughly $25 million in refurbishment to meet Coast Guard mission requirements.
  • Crewed by a hybrid team of Coast Guard cuttermen and civilian mariners, Storis will conduct Arctic missions including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and EEZ security.
  • The icebreaker will remain berthed in Seattle until Juneau’s pier and homeport infrastructure improvements are finished, ensuring near-term Arctic presence despite basing constraints.
  • The acquisition is part of a $25 billion Coast Guard recapitalization under the One Big Beautiful Bill, which allocates $4.3 billion for Polar Security Cutters and $3.5 billion for Arctic Security Cutters ahead of first deliveries expected around 2030.