Saving the sinking submarine industrial base
The U.S. Navy's submarine force is an essential element of our national security. Submarines deter our adversaries. They provide the most survivable arm of the U.S. military’s nuclear triad, capable of a devastating retaliatory strike in the event that China and/or Russia launches a surprise nuclear strike against the nation. However, the Navy's attack submarines also offer a globally unmatched ability to stealthily spy on, infiltrate special forces against, and destroy enemy targets.
The United States is modernizing its submarine force with Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (carrying nuclear weapons) and Virginia-class block IV and block V nuclear attack submarines. Unfortunately, the defense industrial base is very far behind schedule in meeting targets for domestic production of these critical national defense tools. Further complicating matters, the U.S. must provide Australia with three Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines by the early 2030s.
The Navy was scheduled to hit a production rate of 2 submarines a year in 2028. However, the submarine-building program is hard-pressed to produce even 1.5 submarines a year. A major reason why the U.S. is so far behind schedule is labor. Across the economy, the U.S. faces a critical shortage of skilled labor. Labor shortages in ship construction for the Navy are now a national security problem. Fortunately, there is a straightforward solution that also addresses larger political and social concerns that vex U.S. society and the economy.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/saving-the-sinking-submarine-industrial-base/ar-BB1r9SPQ?ocid=widgetonlockscreen&cvid=6781d8d5effa4f1088817a88ad217f81&ei=66
