The US Navy has delayed the initiation of a new ballistic and attack submarine project centered in the District of Columbia by about a year. This update comes via a report from RIA News, which cites a post from one of Politico’s correspondents in the United States.
Sources indicate that the planned vessel would serve as a successor to the Ohio-class fleet, the largest submarines in service today. Yet the Navy’s official statements show that the signing of the construction contract for the District of Columbia is pushed back by roughly 12 to 16 months. The original forecast had called for the submarine to reach completion in 2027, but that timeline has now shifted.
In addition, the timeline for smaller submarine programs appears to be extending beyond earlier expectations. The communication underscores that the same delay pattern applies to the new missile cruiser program as well, signaling a broader postponement across related shipbuilding efforts.
Bloomberg reported in mid-March that American analysts and officials anticipate constructing only a single submarine in 2025. This smaller production plan aligns with a broader shift in how the government is approaching its shipbuilding commitments within the latest defense budget framework.
As a consequence, Washington faces scrutiny over whether this stance could affect regional defense arrangements, including security arrangements with allied partners. Observers note that discussions around submarine sales and collaboration within the AUKUS framework—comprising Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—are being watched closely. Yet a spokesman from Australia’s defense ministry explained that ongoing work in this area adheres to the established schedules and milestones.
Earlier decisions within the U.S. Department of Defense to recalibrate the rearmament program have contributed to the revised production outlook. This shift underscores the challenges of aligning strategic deterrence goals with fiscal and political constraints while maintaining long-term allied commitments and industrial capacity.