Prioritize the Polar Security Cutter

There is no time left to debate the Polar Security Cutter Program. The Arctic Ocean ice is melting, creating a new frontier for all oceangoing powers. To protect U.S. sovereignty and uphold our environmental responsibility in the Arctic region, the President, Congress, and the Navy and Coast Guard must prioritize the Polar Security Cutter Program. We already are woefully behind.

The Current Climate

A 2018 NOAA report card notes that in 2014–18, the rate of warming exceeded all previous records since 1900.¹ While melting glaciers and ice caps are not new phenomena, what used to happen over hundreds to thousands of years now happens within a human lifespan.

Some countries see this as an opportunity for economic development. According to the Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategy, the Arctic region and outer continental shelf present a wealth of untapped resources, including an estimated 13 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil, 30 percent of undiscovered gas, and more than $1 trillion in minerals, including gem-quality diamonds. In addition, more than 50 percent of the U.S. fish stock comes from within the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the coast of Alaska.² 

The Arctic Council, of which the United States is a member, is designed to promote sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic through cooperation and collaboration. Unfortunately, these ideals ignore the reality of history and human nature when large amounts of untapped resources lay open to claim.

Icebreaker Fleets

As of spring 2018, Russia had more than 46 icebreakers, with 11 under construction and 3 more planned. Canada has 7, Finland 10, Sweden 7, and Denmark 4. Even countries outside of the Arctic Council, including Japan and Australia, have begun building heavy icebreakers. China boasts three foreign-built icebreakers and its first domestically built polar icebreaker, the Xuelong 2, launched in September 2018.³

In contrast, the U.S. Coast Guard has the heavy icebreakers Polar Star (WAGB-10) and Polar Sea (WAGB-11) and the medium icebreaker Healy (WAGB-20). In June 2010, the Polar Sea suffered an engine casualty that forced her into inactive status; now, her parts are cannibalized to support the Polar Star, which clings to life via annual dry docks and outdated parts. 

The long-and-short of it is this: the United States has one vessel with heavy icebreaking capabilities and zero backup. 

The Polar Security Cutter

Fortunately, leaders in the Coast Guard, the Navy, and Congress have recognized the need for preparedness and have a plan to take steps toward it with the Polar Security Cutter Program. 

The proposed polar security cutter will be multimissioned, tasked with Arctic presence, search and rescue, environmental and resource protection, and icebreaking for shipping lanes. The Coast Guard hopes to build six new ships: three heavy icebreakers and up to three medium icebreakers. 

There is no time to linger. An unexpected casualty could hit the small U.S. Arctic fleet at any time. The expected delivery date for the first polar security cutter is 2024. Being a new and untested design, completion could run even further into the future. 

The United States has a gaping void in Arctic environmental and security protection. There is support for the Polar Security Cutter Program on both sides of the political aisle, but it will require on-going commitment and financial investment. If the United States does not prepare to operate in the Arctic, it must prepare to cede control of its waters to other ocean powers. Not equipping our maritime protectors with mission-capable boats would be a misjudgment of priorities.