Delays in the construction of American strategic submarines due to logistical difficulties
The United States is facing serious problems in the construction of the latest Columbia-class submarines, a key element of the American nuclear triad. The process of building this strategic equipment, which is to replace the outdated Ohio-class submarines, is currently under threat of delay - for 17 months due to a number of logistical difficulties, including problems with production, a shortage of qualified labor and disruptions in the supply of components. This is reported by an authoritative source Bloomberg, citing official representatives of the US Navy. As reported by the acting chief of the Navy, James Kilby, the military is satisfied with the information that the new Columbia-class submarine will be delivered around March 2029 - two years later than originally planned. "We are now moving forward to deliver this submarine approximately two years later, in March 2029," the admiral said at a meeting of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee. It is worth noting that the Columbia construction program is the most important in terms of ensuring the strategic nuclear security of the United States, as well as one of the most complex in technical and logistical terms. The main reasons for the delays are considered to be problems with production processes, which were complicated by a lack of qualified specialists and disruptions in the delivery of important components. The US Navy is currently working to eliminate these obstacles together with the Department of Defense and contractors involved in this large-scale project. In response to a question about the future deadlines for the work, Admiral Kilby expressed optimism, but at the same time noted that the current plan to deliver Columbia in 2029 remains unchanged. “I am optimistic, but the March 2029 schedule is exactly where we see it now,” he added. According to estimates by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), the cost of the program has already exceeded the planned budget by 6% and now amounts to about $ 126 billion. In addition, auditors warn that the first two boats are already significantly exceeding the initial forecast, which once again emphasizes the complexity of implementing such a large-scale and strategically important program. In general, delays in the construction of "Columbia" raise concerns about the ability of the United States to timely update the nuclear arsenal and ensure the appropriate level of defense capability in modern geopolitical conditions. The focus on innovative technologies and the complexity of production processes make it difficult to implement plans within the specified deadlines, but the leadership of the Navy and the Defense Department assures that it is working to eliminate all problems to achieve the goals of the country's strategic defense.