- A US shipyard acquired for $100 million is being prepared for nuclear submarine construction.
- The US Navy needs to raise output to two submarines per year to meet long-term targets.
- Major investments and capacity upgrades are underway to ease production delays.
One year after its acquisition, the Philadelphia shipyard is being positioned as a potential contributor to US nuclear submarine construction. Ongoing renovations and capacity expansion are aimed at easing production bottlenecks that have slowed delivery schedules for the US Navy’s submarine programmes.
With only 1.2 submarines produced annually against a required rate of around two per year, the Navy faces mounting pressure to accelerate output over the next two decades.
Strategic Fit for Joint Production
The facility’s location on the US East Coast places it close to existing submarine construction hubs and nuclear propulsion authorities. This enables easier coordination, module transport, and knowledge sharing. The use of an already proven submarine design is expected to shorten development timelines and help reduce delays.
The US plans to expand its fleet of attack submarines to 66 vessels by 2054, while also meeting commitments to allied nations under existing security partnerships.
Expansion Plans and Investment Commitments
Significant upgrades are underway, including workforce expansion, facility modernisation, and technology transfer from overseas shipyards. A $5 billion investment commitment has been announced to transform the site into a full-scale naval construction facility, alongside the recruitment of specialists in submarine design and modular construction.
The yard is also being developed under a dual-use strategy, combining commercial shipbuilding expertise with advanced naval capabilities, as policymakers look for faster and more flexible production solutions.
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Source – KED Global
