U.S. Navy Spends Huge Sum to Purchase 14 Nuclear Submarines

Reference News Network reported on August 3 According to the U.S. magazine "National Interest" website on July 31, the U.S. Navy's modernization efforts are underway, with a shipbuilding budget request of $68.5 billion for fiscal year 2027, an increase of 57% from the previous year. The focus of this plan is not only to expand the fleet size but also to revitalize the struggling shipbuilding industrial base.

This week, the U.S. Navy emphasized its commitment to building a stronger and larger fleet. It announced the awarding of contracts totaling $76.6 billion to two major U.S. shipbuilding companies—General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries—to support the construction of the nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

The U.S. Navy stated: "These contracts will help drive the critical modernization of the Navy's undersea forces and the nation's nuclear triad capabilities."

According to reports, the contracts include an investment of $42.1 billion to build nine Virginia-class Block VI attack submarines, along with the procurement of materials needed for the construction of the 10th submarine of the same class; and an expenditure of $29.5 billion to build five Columbia-class Build II ballistic missile submarines.

The U.S. Navy currently has 69 submarines, all of which are nuclear-powered. Theoretically, these new submarines will increase the number of nuclear submarines to 83, but older submarines will certainly be retired at a rate roughly equivalent to the commissioning of new submarines.

The U.S. Navy plans to ultimately have 78 nuclear submarines—66 attack submarines and 12 ballistic missile submarines—although analysts believe this goal will not be achieved until the 2050s.

Reports indicate that the Virginia-class Block VI submarines are equipped with the Virginia Payload Module. This module, located in the midsection of the hull, adds large-diameter vertical launch systems to the attack submarines, allowing each submarine to carry more Tomahawk cruise missiles or long-range hypersonic strike weapons.

In addition, the Block VI submarines will feature upgraded acoustic stealth capabilities and advanced sensor integration systems, designed to enable the submarines to effectively execute missions in both deep-sea and near-shore environments. These advanced submarines will also serve as a technology platform for testing and refining specific design concepts, acoustic improvements, and payload handling technologies, which are expected to be applied to the U.S. Navy's upcoming new generation of attack submarines.

Reports point out that the development of the new generation Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines is intended to replace the aging Ohio-class submarines to support the U.S. strategic deterrence mission. These submarines will utilize a revolutionary electric propulsion system and pump-jet propulsors—making them likely to be the quietest submarines ever.

Stealth capability is just one aspect. Each ballistic missile submarine will also be equipped with 16 missile launch tubes for carrying and launching UGM-133 Trident D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles. These submarines will use reactors designed for a service life of up to 42 years, matching the lifespan of the hull, eliminating the lengthy mid-life overhauls and nuclear fuel replacement processes typical of traditional nuclear submarines, thereby enhancing the overall operational availability of each submarine. (Translated by Yang Xuelei)