The US Navy will receive funding to build a Columbia-class nuclear-powered submarine with Trident II intercontinental ballistic missiles, despite the government shutdown

The US Congress will allocate funds to the Pentagon to finance the construction of the Columbia-class strategic nuclear submarine. This is an important decision against the backdrop of the impending shutdown of the US government.

Here's What We Know

A shutdown is a temporary situation that arises in the case of inconsistency in the financing of the activities of government agencies. In such a case, non-critical agencies temporarily stop working.

The budgetary dysfunction could have caused the Columbia-class strategic submarine programme to fall behind schedule, adversely affecting nuclear deterrence efforts. As such, the Pentagon has been granted a rare waiver that will allow the U.S. Navy to begin construction of the nuclear-powered submarine before the U.S. Congress passes a full budget for fiscal year 2024.

While lawmakers agree on the need for the submarine procurement authorisation, it remains to be seen when a final decision will be made. For that to happen, both chambers must agree on a temporary funding bill.

The Columbia programme is designed to replace the Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarines. They will begin to be retired starting in fiscal year 2027. The new nuclear submarines will also carry Trident II (D5) intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

The first submarine is called District of Columbia. It will be delivered to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Connecticut by autumn 2027 for a series of tests. Deployment is scheduled for 2031.

Source: Defence News