Navy awards $76.6 billion for 14 new nuclear submarines

The U.S. Navy has awarded two major defense contractors a combined $76.6 billion to build 14 new nuclear-powered submarines, a historic investment intended to modernize the nation's undersea fleet and stabilize the shipbuilding industrial base. The contracts, announced on July 29, 2026, were awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division.

The funding covers the construction of nine Virginia-class Block VI fast-attack submarines and five Columbia-class Build II ballistic missile submarines. The Virginia-class portion is valued at $42.1 billion, while the Columbia-class portion is $29.5 billion. An additional $5 billion is allocated for shipyard infrastructure and workforce development. The work, which will be performed at facilities across multiple states including Connecticut, Virginia, Rhode Island, and California, is scheduled to continue through July 2038.

Navy officials described the award as a critical step for national security and industrial planning. Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, the Pentagon's top submarine procurement officer, stated that the investment underscores the Department of Defense's commitment to...