A House panel wants the Navy to purchase two attack submarines in fiscal year 2025 to support the submarine-industrial base, despite the Navy only requesting one. The Navy’s budget includes six ships for FY25, with one Virginia-class attack submarine, necessary to support the U.S. and Australian navies.
House Representative Joe Courtney argues that advanced procurement funds are not a substitute for consistent demand for orders and business for shipbuilders like General Dynamics Electric Boat. While the Navy aims to support the industrial base through targeted funds, healthy vendors are missing out on revenue streams needed to sustain their operations.
Courtney believes continuous procurement of two submarines per year is essential to sustain the growth of the submarine-industrial base, which has shown significant recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights the increase in construction rates, hiring of new workers, and construction of new facilities as evidence of the base’s recovery.
The subcommittee faces challenges in reinstating the second submarine in the budget, as it requires cuts elsewhere due to defense spending caps. Lawmakers at the hearing criticized the Navy for delaying procurement for aircraft carriers and not committing to multiyear buys for amphibious transport docks.
The subcommittee chairman emphasized the importance of providing shipbuilders with clear and consistent signals and using multiyear buys to maximize production efficiency. Ultimately, supporting the industrial base to ensure sustained growth and readiness for future naval operations was a key focus of the hearing.
