US Coast Guard gets $17bn revamp

Many of the Coast Guard's ships date from World War II

The US Coast Guard has awarded its largest ever contract to two American companies to strengthen the country's coastal defences in the wake of the 11 September terror attacks.

The contract, called the Deepwater Program, will see the Coast Guard spend almost $17bn on buying up to 91 ships and upgrading 49 more, some of which date back to the World War II.

As the leader in maritime homeland defence, the Coast Guard must have the most capable ships, aircraft, sensors and communications technology available to protect our nation

Thomas Collins, US Coast Guard

In addition it will buy an array of aircraft, helicopters and pilot-less surveillance drones.

The US Coast Guard Commandant, Thomas Collins, said that 11 September had changed the world, and that homeland security was a mission in which the US had to succeed.

The $16.95bn contract was won by Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

Overstretched

The BBC's correspondent in Washington, Steve Kingston, says the agreement, which covers a 30-year period, will allow the Coast Guard to patrol further out to sea, intercepting suspicious vessels.

New computer technology will also permit immediate background checks of crew members.

Deepwater contract

Acquisition of 91 ships

35 fixed-wing aircraft

34 helicopters

76 unmanned surveillance aircraft

Upgrade of 49 existing cutters and 93 helicopters

Our correspondent says that since the 11 September the Coast Guard has been severely stretched as it attempts to secure the nation's ports, watch over naval vessels and carry out occasional searches of commercial ships for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

The programme "will ensure that the Coast Guard continues to guarantee the nation's maritime security", said Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael Jackson, whose agency oversees the Coast Guard.

"As America's first line of defence for maritime homeland security, it is critical that the Coast Guard be able to identify and intercept targets of interest as far from US shores as possible," he added.

Ageing fleet

The Coast Guard said that in a survey of 39 naval and coast guard fleets around the world, the US fleet was the 37th oldest.

Under the contract, the first of the new ships and planes will be delivered within the next five years and upgrades completed on some of the existing vessels.

"As the leader in maritime homeland defence, the Coast Guard must have the most capable ships, aircraft, sensors and communications technology available to protect our nation and carry out our many missions," Admiral Collins said.