Nearly 40% of US Attack Submarines Are Out of Commission for Repairs
- Navy in June summary discloses 16-year sub readiness trend
- Fast attack subs would be key in fights with China, Russia
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Delays at naval shipyards mean that nearly 40% of US attack submarines are out of commission for repairs, about double the rate the Navy would like, according to new data released by the service.
As of this year, 18 of the US Navy’s 49 attack submarines — 37% — were out of commission, according to previously undisclosed Navy data published by the Congressional Research Service. That leaves the US at a critical disadvantage against China’s numerically superior fleet.