The Columbia-class submarine program continues to be a priority for the Pentagon in the coming time.
The US Navy is struggling to deliver Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSNs) while maintaining its existing fleet and meeting the schedule for the construction and delivery of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) , according to IHS Jane's .
Among them, the Columbia-class submarine continues to be the Pentagon's priority to promptly replace the Ohio-class submarines in the US fleet.
A recent report by the US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that meeting Australia’s submarine supply requirements under the Australian-UK-US (AUKUS) agreement is likely to impact the future goals and needs of the US submarine fleet.
“There’s been a lot of discussion about AUKUS, and obviously we’re going to do everything we can to support our customers on that. But the reality is that the (submarine) supply chain continues to be fragile,” said Jason Aiken, executive vice president and chief financial officer of General Dynamics. General Dynamics’ Electric Boat is one of two manufacturers of the Virginia and Columbia-class submarines.
Mr Aiken said his company had to make every effort at the present time to meet the submarine needs of both the US and its Australian partners under the AUKUS agreement.
"We have a lot of work to do to get the entire submarine industry back to delivering two Virginia-class submarines a year," while delivering more than two Columbia-class submarines a year on time, and then AUKUS, Aiken said.
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