In the Navy’s Forecast, a Shrinking Attack Submarine Fleet

The Navy two years ago planned to procure 54 attack submarines through 2040 in order to maintain its desired fleet size of 48 ships. In its latest 30-year shipbuilding plan, however, just 44 boats are included.

Given that the average life of an attack submarine is 30 years, cutting 10 ships equates to a 20 percent reduction in the attack submarine force, said Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge, deputy director of the Navy’s submarine warfare division.

As a result, the Navy faces a 23-year period when the number of attack submarines in the fleet falls below the desired 48 ships.

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