U.S. Confirms Order for Nine Virginia-Class Block VI Nuclear Submarines

The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that it has signed a contract modification agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat to order nine “Virginia” class Block VI multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarines. The statement said the contract is an incentive-based modification, and the submarines will be used by the U.S. Navy.

Despite delays in General Dynamics' previous orders, both parties have moved forward with this new contract. On July 15, U.S. President Donald Trump had asked the company's management to accelerate the construction progress of U.S. Navy submarines.

In addition to the “Virginia” class submarines, the U.S. Department of Defense has also ordered five “Columbia” class Type II ballistic missile nuclear submarines from Newport News Shipbuilding. Under the contract arrangement, related work is expected to be completed before July 2038.

The total contract amount has not yet been disclosed. Previously, the U.S. Navy's estimated cost for ordering nine “Virginia” class Block V submarines was $22.5 billion. According to official U.S. Navy data, its submarine force currently has 71 nuclear submarines. Additionally, statistics show that the 11 “Virginia” class submarines originally scheduled for delivery by the U.S. Navy between 2019 and 2023 experienced an average delivery delay of more than two years.