Navy Makes Congress Worry Over $9.6 Billion Ship Deal

The US Navy is taking a significant step forward in its amphibious shipbuilding efforts, recently awarding Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) ‘s Ingalls Shipbuilding $9.6 billion to construct four new ships.

According to reports, these shipbuilding contracts include three Flight II San Antonio-class amphibious ships (LPDs 33, 34, and 35) and one big-deck amphibious assault ship (LHA-10).

This came after a brief strategic pause in shipbuilding, with Congress and the Marines pushing for a fleet of at least 31 amphibious warships to meet operational needs.

Here’s what we know so far about the deal and what Congress thinks about these ships’ costs and technical risks.

Key Details of the Contracts

This latest amphibious warship procurements not only fill critical gaps in our Navy’s current fleet but also provide much-needed stability for Ingalls Shipbuilding and its workforce.

Moreover, building these ships on a predictable timeline ensures a steady flow of work for the shipyard and results in cost savings through economies of scale—about $901 million, according to Navy officials.

The contracts also follow recent deliveries of other San Antonio-class ships like the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD-29), which comes with advanced radar systems for air and missile defense.

Meanwhile, the future Helmand Province (LHA-10) will join big-deck amphibious assault ships currently being built at Ingalls, like Bougainville (LHA-8) and Fallujah (LHA-9).

Cost and Technical Risks for Congress

While these contracts are a huge win for American shipbuilding, they also come with concerns.

Congress is closely watching for any potential cost overruns and technical risks. The price tag for these ships is substantial, and lawmakers want to ensure that the Navy can build and maintain these vessels within the budget while addressing technical complexities in the designs.

“Oversight issues for Congress regarding larger amphibious ships include technical and cost risk in the LPD-17 Flight II and LHA programs, and the operational readiness of in-service amphibious ships,” the latest Congress report read.

Another key concern is the readiness of the current amphibious fleet.

Marine Corps officials have pointed out that many amphibious ships are out of service, either needing maintenance or undergoing repairs, which limits their availability for missions.

The Marines and Congress are pushing hard for these new ships to meet the Navy’s commitment to having at least 31 operational amphibious ships.

“What this multi-ship procurement allows us to do is retire some of the older ships as we replace them in the out years and maintain that 31 amphibious ship floor… that’s 10 big deck amphibs and 21 LPDs. [That] is where we think we need to sustain our floor of amphibs,” Marine Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, deputy commandant for combat development and integration, told reporters on Tuesday, September 24.

“It essentially is a one in, one out… that’s what we’re going to have to do. Congress has asked us to report annually to make sure we’re maintaining that right balance for amphibs.”

Austin also noted that the Navy currently has 32 amphibious warships in its inventory.

The Importance of Amphibious Ships

Both the US Navy and Marine Corps have long relied on amphibious ships to project power and secure strategic positions during conflict. Dating back to World War II, these ships played a pivotal role in major amphibious assaults, like the D-Day invasion at Normandy and the Pacific Island-hopping campaigns.

The combination of sea and land capabilities allowed Marines to land on contested shores, providing rapid deployment and flexibility.

Throughout the Cold War and into modern conflicts, amphibious ships continued to be a cornerstone of American military strategy, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions.

Today, as tensions rise globally—particularly in areas like the South China Sea and the Middle East—having a robust amphibious fleet is more critical than ever.

The Navy’s ability to replace aging ships while maintaining a steady production schedule is key to ensuring future readiness. And these new contracts will allow older ships to be retired and replaced, helping the Navy meet its long-term fleet goals.

What’s Coming Down the Shipbuilding Pipeline

With the new multi-ship contracts in place, the Navy is well on its way to bolstering its amphibious fleet. However, the pressure remains to manage costs, minimize risks, and ensure that these new ships are ready to meet the demands of modern naval warfare.

Congress will continue to scrutinize the Navy’s progress, making sure that the investment in these amphibious warships pays off in terms of both capability and readiness.

In the end, these new ships aren’t just about numbers—they’re about maintaining the US Navy’s ability to project power and respond to global threats.

With a clear strategy in place, the focus is now on executing the plan effectively and keeping America’s amphibious forces strong for the future.

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