Lack of qualified personnel and rising costs are hindering the development of the US submarine fleet
The US submarine fleet faces serious challenges, with many submarines awaiting repairs and the construction of new submarines behind schedule. Some nuclear submarines have not been used since 2015, according to Bloomberg.
One of the main problems is the lack of qualified labor. Shipbuilding companies cannot attract and retain a sufficient number of specialists. A February 2025 report from the Government Accountability Office found that businesses are losing up to 30% of critical workers. To solve this problem, the US Navy has implemented intensive training programs. For example, the Navy training center in Virginia teaches computer-controlled machining.
Construction of next-generation submarines is also facing delays and rising costs. For example, the first Columbia-class submarine will enter service two years late and its cost will exceed $16 billion. Delays in construction of the Virginia-class ships could be up to three years. This creates risks for the implementation of US obligations under the AUKUS agreement, which provides submarines to Australia.
In addition, the number of shipyards in the US is decreasing. If during World War II there were more than 70 domestic enterprises involved in shipbuilding, today there are only two private factories building submarines and four state-owned enterprises in repair and maintenance. Because of this, submarines are forced to wait a long time for maintenance.
The US military recognized the need to increase the rate of submarine production. However, this will require significant time and investment. Shipbuilding costs are estimated to average about $40 billion per year over the next three decades.
