Delays at naval shipyards mean that nearly 40% of US attack submarines are out of commission for repairs, about double the rate the Navy would like, according to new data released by the service.<\/p>\n
As of this year, 18 of the US Navy\u2019s 49 attack submarines \u2014 37% \u2014 were out of commission, according to previously undisclosed Navy data published by the Congressional Research Service. That leaves the US at a critical disadvantage against China\u2019s numerically superior fleet.<\/p>\n
The maintenance backlog has \u201csubstantially reduced\u201d the number of nuclear submarines operational at any given moment, cutting the \u201cforce\u2019s capacity for meeting day-to-day mission demands and potentially putting increased operational pressure\u201d on submarines that are in service, CRS naval analyst Ronald O\u2019Rourke said in a July 6 report.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s up from 28% overall in 2017 and 33% in 2022, and below the industry best practice of 20%.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a> (registration or subscription).<\/p>\n Backlogs at overworked shipyards have left US attack submarines at a crucial disadvantage against China\u2019s numerically superior fleet https:\/\/t.co\/N0DOKv7yse<\/a><\/p>\n — Bloomberg (@business) July 11, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n