US-China Conflict: US Nuke Submarine Damaged In South China Sea Ops ‘Stuck For Repairs’ Due To Clogged Shipyards
By
Ashish Dangwal
June 15, 2023
The USS Connecticut, a US Navy nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine that collided with a seamount in the South China Sea nearly two years ago, will not be operational until at least early 2026, according to reports.
This prolonged timeline contributes to a mounting backlog of maintenance overhauls, a matter of concern for the United States as it confronts an expanding Chinese naval presence.
The USS Connecticut, a state-of-the-art Seawolf submarine, encountered an uncharted seamount in October 2021, significantly damaging its bow and lower rudder.
The estimated cost of repairs is approximately $80 million, Bloomberg reported. However, the extended timeline for the submarine’s return to service sheds light on underlying maintenance challenges faced by the Navy’s shipyards.
The USS Connecticut is one of three nuclear-powered Seawolf-class submarines in the US Navy’s fleet. These submarines, originally designed to combat the Soviet Union, are the largest attack submarines in service.
https://eurasiantimes.com/us-china-conflict-us-nuke-submarine-damaged-in-south-china/