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Construction of Arctic Security Cutters

President Donald Trump has issued a memorandum directing the construction of up to four Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) to address national security threats in the Arctic region. The memorandum acknowledges that the current U.S. Coast Guard fleet is inadequate to meet operational demands, posing a risk to U.S. sovereignty and interests. It allows for the temporary construction of these vessels in foreign shipyards, with a plan to eventually bring this expertise back to the U.S. The directive is a time-limited measure, set to terminate in four years unless extended, and aims to fill a critical capability gap while maintaining future investment in the U.S. industrial base.