They’ve cut $10B and one sub from the 2025 budget request.
Being spun as reducing the pressure on present production to allow increased cash and manpower to improve the manufacturing base to support a later increase to 2 subs a year.
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine....budget-request
Fact remains that, at the point the planned handover of subs to Australia is due to take place the fleet will be 46 out of a planned/required 66.
Not saying it won’t take place - but it’s politics and could come under pressure in Congress. Sale is on the proviso that:
Not less than 270 days prior to the transfer of a vessel authorized under subsection (a), the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and leadership a certification that—
(A)(i) the transfer of such vessels will not impact United States undersea operational requirements….
(B) the United States has the industrial capacity to meet and maintain the submarine production requirements needed to meet both the need for Virginia class and Columbia class submarines…
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-...act+2024%22%7D