USS Arleigh Burke will remain in the US Navy five years longer than planned

The United States Navy has decided not to retire the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51). It will remain in service until the beginning of the next decade.

Here's What We Know

The decision to keep the USS Arleigh Burke in the fleet was based on the lethality it is capable of providing as a result of the DDG upgrade. Experts also carried out a thorough assessment of material condition and compliance with maintenance plans.

The US Navy received 71 USS Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Eighteen ships are under contract and 11 are in various stages of production. Rear Admiral Brendan McLane, commander, USS Atlantic, said the DDG-51s are the best warships in history.

The USS Arleigh Burke entered service in 1991. It served 30 years in Norfolk, Virginia, before being transferred to Spain. It is now stationed as part of the USS 6th Fleet in Europe.

In 2020, the US Navy abandoned its overall plan to extend the destroyer fleet and decided to make decisions on a ship-by-ship basis. The USS Arleigh Burke was to remain in service for 35 years, i.e. until 2026. However, last week the US Navy decided to extend the life of the destroyer until 2031.

Source: Defence News