US Navy to invest $76.6 billion into shipyards, next-gen submarine force

The US Navy is preparing to award $76.6 billion in contracts to modernise its shipyards and has announced changes to its classification guidelines in an effort to sharpen the country's competitive edge in undersea warfighting. 

The service will redesignate 19 planned Virginia-class submarines equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) as guided missile submarines (SSGNs), reflecting their significantly expanded missile capacity compared with standard attack submarines, as Caliber.Az reports referring to a press release by the US Navy on this decision.

This will accelerate the construction of Virginia-class attack submarines. and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. The Sea Warfare Department also revealed that it will reclassify a new generation of Virginia-class vessels as guided missile submarines. 

Navy officials said the change recognizes the enhanced strike capabilities provided by the Virginia Payload Module and is "signalling a leap forward in undersea warfighting capability, lethal combat power, and global deterrence."

The reclassified submarines are expected to strengthen the Navy's long-range precision strike capabilities while increasing operational flexibility across a range of future missions.

“These submarines will provide our Nation with a powerful and persistent deterrent, expand options for our combatant commanders, and ensure the Navy remains ready to fight and win whenever and wherever called upon,” said Daryl Caudle, Chief of US Naval Operations.

Equipped with the Virginia Payload Module alongside existing launch systems, each submarine will be capable of carrying up to 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The vessels are also being designed to accommodate future weapons systems, including the Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missile and other emerging payloads.

According to an analysis on this move by the Interesting Engineer platform, the first VPM-equipped submarine, designated SSGN 803, is expected to enter service in fiscal year 2029, with additional deliveries scheduled through 2038. Once commissioned, the submarines are expected to be deployed in key strategic regions to provide persistent forward presence, reinforce deterrence and deliver rapid conventional strike capabilities in contested environments.

The move comes as the Navy prepares to retire its four Ohio-class guided missile submarines by the end of the decade, beginning with USS Georgia. The converted ballistic missile submarines have long served among the Navy's most capable conventional strike platforms, carrying up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles while also supporting special operations forces, intelligence missions and underwater command functions.

By Nazrin Sadigova