US Coast Guard set to accelerate schedule of shipbuilding programmes
Rendering of the WLR on the left and the WLIC on the right. (Photo: Birdon America Inc)
With the funds provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Coast Guard will attempt to speed up the production of the Waterways Commerce and Fast Response cutters.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) recently disclosed its plans to accelerate the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) and the Fast Response Cutter (FRC) efforts as it will receive additional funds from FY2026 to FY2029 provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
In an urgent need of capabilities, the service has been working with the suppliers of both programmes to speed up the production of vessels. Its strategy includes earmarking extra resources to those initiatives and placing orders ahead of schedule to quicken the deliveries.
The Reconciliation Bill allocated US$1 billion to procure Sentinel-class FRCs. The branch said it “has initiated
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration]()
UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
