Coast Guard Aircraft Availability Declines, Budget Office Says

November 21, 2025 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764102465209-890

Coast Guard Aviation Fleets Face Challenges Amid Budget Constraints

The Congressional Budget Office found that the Coast Guard’s aircraft availability rates and inventories have declined over the past two decades. Despite this, fixed-wing aircraft availability has increased. The Coast Guard is procuring additional aircraft with $3.7 billion in funding, including up to 40 MH-60 helicopters and six C-130Js. Adm. Kevin Lunday mentioned plans for these procurements during a Senate hearing. However, some Democratic senators raised concerns about the use of funds for luxury executive jets and potential closures of search and rescue stations.

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Key Takeaways

The Coast Guard’s aircraft availability rates have declined.
Helicopter availability dropped from 60.7% to 47.8%.
Fixed-wing aircraft availability increased from 41.8% to 50.5%.
The Coast Guard is procuring additional aircraft with $3.7 billion in funding.
Adm. Kevin Lunday mentioned plans for up to 40 MH-60 helicopters and six C-130Js.

Coast Guard Congressional Budget Office DHS

Strategic Implications

This decline may indicate the Coast Guard’s struggle to maintain its aviation capabilities, potentially affecting its ability to respond to emergencies. The procurement of additional aircraft could help mitigate this issue, but the long-term implications for the service’s readiness remain unclear.