In a significant move to address the ongoing challenges in submarine production, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, Chris Murphy, and Richard Blumenthal have taken the lead in urging the Biden Administration to prioritize funding for submarine programs as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. This bipartisan initiative reflects growing concerns over delays and budget overruns affecting key submarine programs, namely the Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines.
Senator Kaine, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, along with Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, has sent letters to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of the Navy, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation of the proposed Shipbuilder Accountability and Workforce Support (SAWS) agreement. This agreement aims to restructure the Navy’s payment system for submarines, potentially offering a solution to current production issues.
Between 2018 and 2023, Congress has allocated over $2.3 billion to bolster the submarine industrial base, with an additional $3 billion earmarked this year as part of a national security supplemental package. Despite these investments, the Virginia-class and Columbia-class programs are facing significant delays and are projected to exceed their budgets. The timely completion of these submarines is particularly crucial for the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) trilateral partnership, which involves the United States selling at least two submarines to Australia to enhance security in the Indo-Pacific region.
In their communication to OMB Director Shalanda Young, the senators expressed that the submarine programs are vital for maintaining the United States’ undersea advantage, which is essential for national security. They highlighted the SAWS agreement as a promising strategy to ensure that the submarine industrial base can meet the increasing demands of U.S. shipyards and accelerate production timelines.
The senators’ appeal comes at a time when the U.S. Navy is under pressure to deliver advanced submarine capabilities to maintain its strategic edge. Delays in production not only impact military readiness but also have broader implications for international defense commitments and partnerships.
As the Biden Administration prepares to finalize its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the senators are advocating for a careful consideration of funding levels that would support the submarine programs and address the current production challenges. By prioritizing these initiatives, the administration can help ensure that the U.S. Navy remains equipped to address emerging global threats and maintain its operational capabilities.
The ongoing discussions surrounding submarine production underscore the importance of a robust defense industrial base and the need for strategic investments in military capabilities. With the geopolitical landscape continuously evolving, the ability of the U.S. Navy to deliver timely and effective solutions remains a top priority for national security.
