US Navy Halts USS Boise Submarine Overhaul Amid Soaring Costs

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Navy is retiring the USS Boise due to costly repairs estimated at $1.9 billion.
The decision is part of a strategy to focus on production of new submarines, including Virginia and Columbia-class models.
President Trump’s fiscal 2027 defense budget includes $65 billion for shipbuilding, aiming to enhance naval capabilities.

USS Boise Retired Amid Costly Repairs

The U.S. Navy announced the retirement of the USS Boise, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, after determining that repairs had become prohibitively expensive. The submarine has been inactive since 2015 and was undergoing a $1.2 billion overhaul at Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia, before the decision was made.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle emphasized the significance of this strategic move, saying it allows for the efficient allocation of resources within the Navy’s highly-skilled workforce to prioritize new submarine deliveries. The Navy aims to introduce the Columbia-class submarine by 2028, as highlighted in a recent 2025 congressional report.

Additionally, the Navy has recently welcomed its newest Virginia-class submarine, the USS Massachusetts, commissioned on March 28. This marks the 12th Virginia-class submarine now in service.

Navy Secretary John Phelan shared insights during an interview with Fox News, stating that previous expenditures on the USS Boise had already reached $800 million, with an estimated $1.9 billion needed for completion of the repairs. Phelan indicated that the decision to retire the submarine was a necessary strategy to cut losses and redirect funds towards new submarine projects.

In related developments, President Donald Trump has proposed a fiscal 2027 defense budget requesting $65 billion specifically for shipbuilding. This budget aims to produce two new Virginia-class submarines and one Columbia-class submarine. It also includes a request for a total of 34 ships, encompassing 18 battle force ships and 16 non-battle force ships, effectively doubling the request from the previous fiscal year.

This retirement decision and the focus on new submarine production underscore the Navy’s intention to modernize its fleet and enhance operational capabilities in the coming years.

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