Navy Plans Major Shipbuilding Expansion by 2027
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Navy is poised for a significant expansion in its shipbuilding program, with plans to double the number of ships procured under the fiscal 2027 defense budget. Navy Secretary John Phelan announced this ambitious initiative during his keynote address at the WEST Conference in San Diego, California, highlighting a proposed budget of $1.5 trillion that could increase ship acquisitions from 17 to at least 34 vessels.
Doubling Ship Procurement Under New Budget
In the fiscal 2026 budget, the Navy received $27.2 billion to construct 17 ships, including advanced submarines and landing ships. However, Secretary Phelan indicated that the upcoming fiscal 2027 budget could significantly enhance these numbers, particularly with a focus on auxiliary and support ships. “It is an area that we are in grave need of upgrading, and I think the president has correctly addressed that in the budget,” Phelan stated, emphasizing the urgency of modernizing the Navy’s fleet.
The proposed budget aims to revitalize the maritime industrial base by prioritizing the construction of ships that are less complex to build compared to combat vessels, which often involve intricate radar and nuclear propulsion systems. This approach is expected to streamline production and enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities.
Among the ships included in the fiscal 2026 budget are two Virginia-class fast-attack submarines, one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, three medium landing ships, and one T-AGOS ocean surveillance ship, as detailed by the House Appropriations Committee. Phelan’s remarks came amid criticisms of the Biden administration for allegedly underfunding the shipbuilding industry, contrasting it with the previous administration’s funding levels.
