Arktika-class icebreaker
The "Arktika" class is a Russian (former Soviet) class of nuclear-powered icebreakers. Formerly known as "Project 10520 nuclear-powered icebreaker", they were the largest and most powerful icebreakers until the 2016 launch of the ship named Arktika. Ships of the "Arktika" class are owned by the federal government, but were operated by the Murmansk Shipping Company (MSCO) until 2008, when they were transferred to the fully government-owned operator Atomflot. Of the ten civilian nuclear-powered vessels built by Russia (and the Soviet Union), six have been of this type. They are used for escorting merchant ships in the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia as well as for scientific and recreational expeditions to the Arctic.
Polar Security Cutter program
The Polar Security Cutter Program is the program to replace the United States Coast Guards aging fleet of icebreakers. The current fleet of large icebreakers consists of one operational heavy icebreaker, the USCGC "Polar Star", and one medium icebreaker, the USCGC "Healy". Both ships are planned to be replaced by 3 heavy and 3 medium icebreakers. The new fleet of icebreakers, will allow the USCG to perform missions in the Arctic such as defense operations and readiness, defending U.S. sovereignty and interests, national security activities and maritime safety, PWCS (Ports, waterways, and coastal security), research, search and rescue, and logistic support and vessel escort. The first icebreaker will be funded by the US Navy.