Noem signs icebreaker building deal with Canada, Finland to defend Arctic

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday signed a deal with Canada and Finland – as part of the three countries' "Icebreaker" boat collaboration – to defend the Arctic as Russia seeks to expand in the region.

The partnership is officially known as the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort and started in July 2024 to try to outpace Russia in its expansion in the Arctic, The Hill news outlet reported. The U.S. and Canada will be able to meet the partnership's demands with Finland’s shipbuilding expertise.

“Today is a major milestone in the race to secure the Arctic for all of our countries," Noem said. "The Arctic is the world’s last, most wild frontier, and our adversaries are racing to claim its strategic position and its natural resources for their own."

She also said: “If we give up that high ground, then we will condemn future generations to permanent insecurity."

In the deal signed by Noem, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, and Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto, there will be 11 new icebreakers built over the next several years.

In July, Finland provided the U.S. with the Storis icebreaker, which was the first one to be added to the polar fleet in 25 years.

Noem said the agreement will also strengthen the U.S. economy and provide more jobs, as workers will be trained by Canada on building the icebreakers. A shipyard was recently purchased in Texas for the U.S. to later build its own ships once training is provided.