The US Navy has committed $76.6 billion to expand its nuclear-powered submarine fleet through major contract awards to General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding. Electric Boat will receive $29.5 billion for five additional Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and $42.1 billion for nine Block VI Virginia-class attack submarines, along with funding to strengthen submarine production infrastructure. Newport News Shipbuilding will serve as the delivery yard for six of the nine new Virginia-class submarines and will manufacture major sections for the Columbia-class fleet. The contracts are expected to support work at shipbuilding facilities in Connecticut, Virginia, Rhode Island, and other locations through 2038. The Navy plans to build 12 Columbia-class submarines to replace Ohio-class vessels and maintain the sea-based nuclear deterrent. Meanwhile, Virginia-class submarines will replace aging Los Angeles-class boats and provide capabilities ranging from anti-submarine warfare and intelligence missions to land attack and special operations support. The investment underscores Washington’s priority on maintaining undersea superiority and expanding submarine production capacity.
