"Soon with the hope of the new polar security cutter, the Coast Guard will lead the way in reasserting American leadership in the arctic which has been neglected far too long", Bolton said. "Armed with these new and innovative tools the Coast Guard will enable a year round persistent US presence in the polar region… like our allies and partners we want the high north to be a region of low tension".
Bolton added that the Coast Guard will help the United States challenge growing Russian military influence in the Arctic and push back against China's illegitimate claim to near Arctic status as well as its use of "debt diplomacy" against Arctic nations.
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In March, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz said the US Coast Guard will issue its first construction contract for its Polar Security Cutter icebreaker program this spring. Schultz highlighted the importance of the icebreakers as countries are competing for influence and resources in the Arctic region.