Tuesday, December 3, 2019

U.S. Navy Pays $22 Billion For Nine Virginia Class Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Virginia class subs - first introduced in 2004 - are essential to the Navy's multi-mission undersea program as they are capable of attacking other submarines, surface ships and land targets as well as conducting special operations for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance. One of the 18 subs in the current Virginia class fleet is shown above

Daily Mail: US Navy spends $22billion on nine Virginia class attack submarines in largest shipbuilding contract ever awarded in bid to counter rapid Chinese naval growth

* The US Navy announced the contract for nine new Virginia class subs Monday
* The new models will feature substantial upgrades in both size and firepower compared with the 18 subs currently in operation
* Rear Adm David Goggins, the Navy's program executive officer for submarines, called the latest models 'a generational leap in submarine capability'
* The contract has an option for a 10th sub, which would bring its value to $24B
* The new subs are scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2029
* The contract comes months after the head of the US Navy in the Pacific warned that additional submarines were needed to counter Chinese naval growth

The US Navy has ordered nine more of the world's most advanced nuclear submarines in its most expensive ship-building contract ever awarded at more than $22.2billion.

The massive Block V contract was announced on Monday, months after the head of the US Navy in the Pacific warned that additional submarines were essential to countering China's rapid naval growth and aggressive military actions in the South China Sea.

The Navy already has 18 Virginia class attack submarines in operation and 10 more in various stages of construction, but the nine new models will feature substantial upgrades in both size and firepower.

Rear Adm David Goggins, the Navy's program executive officer for submarines, called the latest warships 'a generational leap in submarine capability for the Navy' in a statement about the contract.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Navy Ordering Nine Virginia Class Nuclear-Powered Submarines

US Navy awards largest-ever shipbuilding contract to Electric Boat for new attack submarines -- Defense News
General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls win $22 billion contract for U.S. submarines -- Reuters
Navy to pay $22 billion for nine nuclear-powered submarines -- Washington Post
Navy Awards $22B Contract to Electric Boat, Newport News Shipbuilding for 9 Block V Virginia Subs -- USNI News
Navy OKs Biggest Ever Deal: $22B for 9 Virginia Subs -- Breaking Defense
Keeping up with China: US Navy orders $22 billion worth of submarines -- CNN
General Dynamics Wins $22.2 Billion for Virginia-Class Subs -- Bloomberg

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