The US Navy has committed $76.6bn to expand its undersea fleet, awarding contracts to General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding for the construction of new Columbia– and Virginia-class submarines.
GDEB received a contract modification for five Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, while a separate contract will see both GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) construct nine Virginia-class submarines over fiscal years 2025 to 2029, the Navy said.
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The procurement also includes funding for shipyard productivity and material for a tenth Virginia-class boat.
The awards divide $42.1bn for nine Block VI Virginia-class submarines and related materials, and $29.5bn for the five Build II Columbia-class boats.
These moves form what the Navy described as a “once-in-a-generation recapitalisation” of its undersea fleet and the US strategic nuclear deterrent.
US Navy Submarine Programmes director vice admiral Robert Gaucher said: “By securing the continuous production of both the Columbia and Virginia classes, we ensure we will continue to deliver the world’s most lethal, survivable and resilient combat platform to our global Combatant Commanders, while providing long-term stability to our shipbuilding industrial base.
“These submarines will assure our allies and deter our adversaries while serving as a key part of our joint forces by projecting combat power into denied areas and defending our nation and its interests for decades to come.”
Columbia-class submarines, which make up the sea-based element of the US nuclear triad, are now contracted for a total of seven build orders, the Navy confirmed.
The vessels are intended to meet US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) requirements as part of the nation’s strategic deterrent capability.
The Virginia class, regarded as a principal attack and multi-mission platform, comprises 26 operational boats, with a further 23 scheduled for construction.
Between them, GDEB and HII-Newport News have built and delivered 26 Virginia-class submarines.
The new contracts, the Navy said, provide long-term stability for the domestic shipbuilding industrial base, and reflect ongoing collaboration between the two firms’ shipyards in Connecticut and Virginia.
The Department of War also acknowledged Congressional support for the funding, noting that recent investments secured through budget reconciliation have enabled these contract awards.
“This is how we rebuild the industrial base together,” said Acquisition and Sustainment, Under Secretary of War Michael P. Duffey, commending the Navy’s acquisition team for delivering the multi-ship contracts after years of delays and rising costs linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new contracts follow the Department of the Navy’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request, which sought $65.8bn in shipbuilding funds, including financing for one Columbia-class submarine and two Virginia-class submarines, alongside other major surface and auxiliary vessels.
