A landmark US shipbuilding investment spanning Columbia and Virginia Class submarines signals the scale of allied commitment to undersea deterrence – and has direct implications for AUKUS partner nations and the UK supply chain. The US Department of War has awarded contracts with a combined value of $76.6 billion to General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding for the construction of Columbia Class ballistic missile submarines and Virginia Class attack submarines, in what it has described as a historic, once-in-a-generation recapitalisation of American undersea forces. The awards cover a five-boat Columbia Class contract modification, a nine-ship Virginia Class contract…
