US Navy to retire cruise missile submarine USS Georgia

The United States Navy is set to decommission the nuclear-powered guided missile submarine USS Georgia on Friday, July 31, marking the retirement of one of its most heavily armed underwater strike platforms.

According to the US Naval Institute, the submarine — capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles — recently returned to its home port at Kings Bay, Georgia, following its final extended deployment. During that mission, the 42-year-old vessel took part in US military operations against Iran, including Operation Midnight Hammer in June last year and Operation Epic Fury.

USS Georgia is one of four Ohio-class submarines converted to carry cruise missiles. Alongside USS Ohio, USS Michigan and USS Florida, it was refitted between 2002 and 2007, replacing its original Trident II D5 nuclear ballistic missiles with a large payload of conventional cruise missiles. These submarines have played a central role in US naval strike operations in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

The Navy plans to retire the remaining three submarines of this type within the next two years. They will be replaced by newer Virginia-class Block V and VI attack submarines, each designed to carry up to 42 cruise missiles. Under current plans, three Virginia-class submarines will replace a single Ohio-class guided missile submarine.

Separately, the US continues to operate 14 ageing Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarines, each capable of carrying 20 Trident II D5 intercontinental ballistic missiles. These are scheduled to be replaced by 12 next-generation Columbia-class submarines, with the first expected to enter operational patrol in 2031.

Each Columbia-class submarine will carry 16 upgraded Trident II D5 missiles equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. The Trident II D5 system currently represents the backbone of the US nuclear triad, accounting for roughly 70% of the country’s strategic nuclear deterrent.

The Columbia-class programme is projected to cost approximately $113 billion.

By Tamilla Hasanova