A contract worth nearly $1 billion has been awarded to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.
U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker, and Congressman Steven Palazzo announced the award of a $930.8 million contract for construction of the 10th and 11th U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutters (NSC).
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security contract award to Huntington Ingalls in Pascagoula has a total potential value of $1.7 billion.
“This marks the first time two NSCs have been awarded on the same contract, and ensures maximum cost savings for taxpayers by allowing Mississippi’s shipbuilders to have a more efficient acquisition and construction schedule for these ships,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This contract is great news for continuing work to rebuild our national defenses by giving the Coast Guard the modern fleet it needs to carry out its mission, including stopping the flow of drugs and people entering our country illegally.”
“The awarding of these two National Security Cutters to Huntington Ingalls is a recognition of the hard work and expertise of Mississippi’s shipbuilders,” Wicker said. “These Mississippi ships will join a growing fleet of Pascagoula-built National Security Cutters in the Coast Guard’s efforts to protect our shores, disrupt international crime networks, and stop the flow of illegal drugs.”
“As we continue to debate the security of our borders in Congress, it is important to remember that we have a vast maritime border as well,” Palazzo said. “As Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I worked closely with the Coast Guard and my colleagues in Congress to ensure full funding of these two ships in the FY2018 Omnibus Bill, passed in April of this year. The NSC Program is vital to control our maritime border and protect our American homeland.”
Built in Pascagoula, NSCs are the most advanced U.S. Coast Guard cutters with an ability to effectively address national security, law enforcement, and humanitarian missions.
The contract sets Jan. 20, 2023, as the expected delivery date for NSC 10, and Jan. 19, 2024, for delivery of NSC 11. This award obligates the remainder of the FY2018 appropriations provided for construction of NSC 10 and 11. In early October, Hyde-Smith announced a $97.1 million long lead-time materials contract for construction of NSC 11. A $95 million contract for long lead-time materials for NSC 10 was issued in March.
Completion of the FY2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bills with funding for Coast Guard operations and acquisitions, is embroiled in the ongoing fight over border security funding.
