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US Navy awards historic $76.6B contract for 9 Block VI Virginia and 5 Columbia-class submarines
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On July 29, 2026, the US Department of War awarded a historic $76.6 billion contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) for the construction of nine Block VI Virginia-class attack submarines and five Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. The deal represents the largest submarine contract in US Navy history, aimed at recapitalizing the Navy's undersea forces and the nation's nuclear triad. The Columbia-class submarines will serve as the sea-based strategic deterrent, while the enhanced Virginia-class submarines provide stealth, heavy payload strike capability, and multi-domain lethality. The awards ensure continuous production of both classes, providing long-term stability to the shipbuilding industrial base. The Navy now has seven Columbia-class submarines under contract and 23 more Virginia-class submarines slated for construction, complementing 26 operational Virginia-class submarines. Officials emphasized the bipartisan congressional support that enabled this investment in maritime modernization and undersea dominance.
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Published on 30/07/2026 By Naval News Staff
Artist rendering of a Columbia-class submarine (US Navy image)
In its largest-ever submarine deal, the US Navy awards $76.6B to GDEB and HII for 9 Block VI Virginia-class attack subs and 5 Columbia-class SSBNs.
U.S. Navy press release
On July 29, 2026, the Department of War expanded its undersea warfighting capabilities by awarding:
- A five-ship contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) for the construction of five Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs)
- A nine-ship contract to GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) for the construction of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 through FY 2029 Virginia-class submarines
- Previously awarded shipyard productivity efforts to both companies
These awards represent a historic investment in maritime modernization and supremacy, with a combined total value of $76.6B.
The awards drive the critical, once-in-a-generation recapitalization of the Navy’s undersea forces and the nation’s nuclear triad. The Columbia-class submarines will provide an effective sea-based strategic deterrent to meet U.S. Strategic Command’s (USSTRATCOM) requirements. Furthermore, these contract awards support the fielding of enhanced Virginia-class submarines, a platform engineered for unparalleled stealth, heavy payload strike capability, and multi-domain lethality.
The Navy now has seven Columbia-class submarines under contract, complementing a force of 26 operational Virginia-class submarines with 23 more slated to be built.
“This historic investment underscores the Department’s continued commitment to undersea superiority and the recapitalization of our nuclear triad,” said Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, Director, Submarine Programs. “By securing the continuous production of both the Columbia and Virginia classes, we ensure we will continue to deliver the world’s most lethal, survivable and resilient combat platform to our global Combatant Commanders, while providing long-term stability to our shipbuilding industrial base. These submarines will assure our allies and deter our adversaries while serving as a key part of our joint forces by projecting combat power into denied areas and defending our nation and its interests for decades to come.”
USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) is Commissioned in Boston
The USS Constitution sails past the Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) during Massachusetts’ commissioning in Boston, on March 28th, 2026. Massachusetts is the newest fast-attack submarine and the fifth U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lucas J. Hastings)
The awards also reflect the continued partnership between GDEB in Groton, Conn., and HII-NNS in Newport News, Va., working in tandem to forge the world’s most advanced and lethal undersea platforms.
This vital expansion of the Navy’s undersea dominance is made possible through the critical funding provided by Congress, including the essential investments secured through the budget reconciliation process. The Department is deeply grateful for Congress’s steadfast partnership and bipartisan support, which directly enables these historic contract awards and strengthens our national defense industrial base.
“These awards represent a major milestone in our defense acquisition transformation,” said Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey. “I commend Vice Admiral Gaucher and his team at the Navy for seamlessly carrying this forward to execution. This is how we rebuild the industrial base together.”
As the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad, the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine represents a modern platform of national security and remains the Department of War’s number one acquisition priority. Operating in tandem, the Virginia-class submarine is the premier tactical strike and multi-mission platform, ensuring continuous global undersea dominance. Together, these platforms present an unparalleled strategic deterrent to any adversary and an enduring commitment to global stability for our allies.
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Tags: Columbia-class, US Navy, Virginia-class
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US Navy Awards Historic $76.6B Contract for 14 Nuclear Submarines