Fact Check: "The United States is currently producing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.2 per year, which is insufficient to meet both its own needs and the requirements of the AUKUS agreement."
What We Know
The Virginia-class submarine program has been a critical component of the U.S. Navy's fleet since its inception. As of 2023, the production rate for these submarines has been reported to be approximately 1.2 submarines per year. This figure is corroborated by multiple sources, including a report to Congress which states that the actual production rate has not reached the intended target of two submarines per year, and has been limited to about 1.2 boats since 2022. Additionally, a Pentagon official noted that the production rate needs to increase from 1.2 to 2.0 submarines per year to adequately support both U.S. needs and commitments under the AUKUS agreement.
The AUKUS agreement, which involves the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, includes provisions for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, which will require the U.S. to increase its production capacity to meet both domestic and allied demands. The Navy has acknowledged the growing backlog of submarines and is working towards increasing production to meet these commitments, with plans to ramp up to 2.0 boats per year by 2028 and eventually to 2.33 boats per year (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. is producing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.2 per year is accurate and supported by credible sources. The Congressional Research Service report highlights the production challenges faced by the Navy, including workforce availability and supply chain issues, which have hindered the ability to meet the desired production rate of two submarines per year (source-6).
Furthermore, the Pentagon's acknowledgment of the need to increase production rates to fulfill both U.S. Navy requirements and AUKUS commitments adds weight to the assertion that the current production rate is insufficient (source-2). The Navy's proposed budget for FY2025, which requests funding for only one Virginia-class submarine instead of two, further illustrates the constraints faced by the Navy in meeting its production goals (source-3).
While some reports suggest that the Navy aims to ramp up production to 2.0 submarines per year by 2028, the current rate of 1.2 boats per year indicates a significant gap that could impact both U.S. military readiness and international commitments under AUKUS (source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that the United States is currently producing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of 1.2 per year, which is insufficient to meet both its own needs and the requirements of the AUKUS agreement, is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms the production rate and highlights the challenges the Navy faces in scaling up production to meet strategic commitments.
Sources
- PDF Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine Pillar 1 ...
- US submarine industrial base can and will support AUKUS -Pentagon ...
- Report to Congress on Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS ...
- How to help the US Navy as it helps us: build a joint ... - ASPI
- JUST IN: Navy Hopes to Bump Sub Production to 3 Per Year by 2028
- Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS ...
- US Navy Ramps Up Virginia-Class Submarine Production
- Report to Congress on Virginia-Class Program and AUKUS