What You Need to Know: The Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, designed to replace the aging Ohio-class, come with a hefty price tag—around $13 billion per sub. These advanced subs will bolster U.S. nuclear deterrence by maintaining a stealthy, survivable second-strike capability.

-Despite the high costs and GAO reports of delays and overruns, the Navy views these expenditures as essential to uphold its nuclear triad.

-The Columbia-class subs incorporate significant innovations, including electric drive propulsion for quieter operations and reactor fuel lasting their entire service life, potentially offsetting some maintenance costs.

-Ultimately, their strategic deterrent value may justify the substantial investment.

Budgetary overruns have been a hallmark of military spending for decades. Design changes, production difficulties, and other, unforeseen factors conspire to drive up the cost of new systems before their completion.

The U.S. Navy’s Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) are proving to be no exception with current estimates placing them at $13 billion per boat, an enormous........

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