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Key Points: The Columbia-class submarines will replace the aging Ohio-class SSBNs as the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear deterrent. The first two Columbia-class subs are expected to cost $15.2 billion and $9.3 billion, with subsequent units estimated at $8.8–$9.2 billion each.
-These submarines will counter the growing nuclear capabilities of China and Russia, particularly China’s advanced Type 096 SSBNs and expanding nuclear arsenal.
-Although expensive, the Columbia-class is deemed essential for maintaining the U.S. nuclear triad and addressing future security challenges, with a projected lifetime cost of $348 billion for construction and maintenance.
Columbia-Class Submarines: Pricey but Essential for U.S. Nuclear Deterrence
A key aspect of U.S. deterrence is the nuclear triad. This consists of sea, air, and land-launched nuclear weapons.
The idea is that the price for attacking the U.S. with nuclear weapons will be so high that no state in their right mind would consider doing it, lest they risk complete annihilation.
Within the nuclear triad, the most concerning aspect for an adversarial state is the sea-based leg, or the US Navy’s ballistic missile submarine fleet (SSBN).
They are the ultimate form of deterrence; USAF airfields and nuclear silos can be attacked and rendered inoperable in a first strike.
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash. (Aug. 14, 2003) — Illustration of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) which is undergoing a conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation. Ohio has been out of service since Oct. 29, 2002 for conversion to SSGN at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Four Ohio-class strategic missile submarines, USS Ohio (SSBN 726), USS Michigan (SSBN 727) USS Florida (SSBN 728), and USS Georgia (SSBN 729) have been selected for transformation into a new platform, designated SSGN. The SSGNs will have the capability to support and launch up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, a significant increase in capacity compared to other platforms. The 22 missile tubes also will provide the capability to carry other payloads, such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Special Forces equipment. This new platform will also have the capability to carry and support more than 66 Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) and insert them clandestinely into potential conflict areas. U.S. Navy illustration. (RELEASED)
However, ominously, the SSBNs will always be ready, possibly anywhere, awaiting the command to unleash a state-ending nuclear counterstrike.
However, the state of the Navy’s SSBN fleet is in flux, with many experts asking hard questions regarding the latest missile-carrying nuclear submarine, the Columbia-Class.
The Current US Navy SSBN Fleet
The US Navy currently operates 14 Ohio class SSBNs.
These vessels were procured between FY1977-FY1991 and entered service between 1984 and 1997.
The “newest” in this class is the USS Louisiana; it was commissioned in 1997.
Since 2025 is knocking on our door, this vessel has been in operational service for nearly 28 years.
As initially designed, the Ohio SSBNs were to have a 30-year service life; they were later certified to have 42-year service lives. This consisted of approximately two 19-year operational periods, separated by an approximately four-year midlife nuclear refueling overhaul.
The first of the Ohio class to reach the end of its 42-year service life will be the USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730); this will occur in 2027.
Following this, the remaining 13 boats will reach the end of their service lives at a rate of approximately one per year until 2040.
Ohio-Class SSBN. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Columbia-Class: The Navy’s Replacement SSBN
The Navy has a replacement plan for the old Ohio-class boats: enter the Columbia-Class.
Until 2016, the Columbia-class program was officially known as the Ohio Replacement Program or SSBN(X).
On December 14, 2016, the Navy announced that the SSBN-862, the first boat in the class, would be named “Columbia” and later renamed “District of Columbia” on June 3, 2022.
From then on, the new SSBN class became known as the Columbia-class.
The renaming of Colombia to the District of Columbia was done to avoid overlap, as the Navy has a Los Angeles attack submarine (SSN-688) named in honor of Colombia, SC; Colombia, IL; and Colombia, MO.
Technical notes on the Columbia-class:
Displacement: 20,800 Long tons
Length: 560 feet
Hull diameter: 43 feet
Crew size: 155
Diving depth: 800+ feet
Speed: 20+ knots
Weapon system: 16 Trident II DS5 ICBMs
Service life: 42 years
The Navy procured the first Columbia-class sub in FY2021 and the second in FY2024. Additionally, the Navy seeks to procure the remaining vessels in the program at a rate of one per year from FY2026 through FY2045.
Pricing for the Colombia-Class
The Columbia class SSBNs will be anything but cheap, as the increase in size (more significant than the Ohio-class), incorporation of new technologies, and teething issues have driven up or will drive up the price.
The Navy’s FY2025 budget submission estimates that the total procurement cost of the first submarine will be approximately $15.2 billion, and the expenditure for the second will be about $9.3 billion.
Ohio-class submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The first-in-class is much higher as it includes most of the detailed design and nonrecurring engineering costs for the class.
The third through the sixth boats in the class have an estimated procurement cost of approximately 8.8 billion to 9.2 billion per vessel. Additionally, the Navy estimated in 2017 that the annual operation and support cost per Colombia-class vessel would be $119 million annually.
Is the Columbia-class Needed? Enter China and Russia
The Government Accountability Office states that the Columbia-class submarine program is set to cost $130 billion for all 12 vessels.
The Navy will roll ahead with this program unless the funding is cut, which will not likely happen. Thus, arguing about the expenditure on the program is moot.
What the Navy, US military planners, and politicians see now and on the horizon is a rising Chinese military and mutual competition for decades to come, as well as a Russia that is armed with thousands of nuclear weapons and new SSBNs as well.
The Blue crew of the ballistic-missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730) transits the Hood Canal as it returns home to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor following a routine strategic deterrent patrol on Sept. 30, 2015. US Navy photo.
In regards to China, specifically, Beijing is building a new class of SSBNs, the Type 096, and could be operational by 2031.
These vessels will have increased stealth capabilities and a longer range. Additionally, China is investing in a larger nuclear stockpile.
According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists:
“The Pentagon also estimates that China’s arsenal will increase to about 1,000 warheads by 2030…If expansion continues at the current rate, the Pentagon’s previous projections say that China might field a stockpile of about 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035…”
With this increase in their nuclear arsenal and the fact that the Chinese navy is increasing at an exponential rate, the Colombia-class program is needed. This is in addition to a revitalization of the U.S. nuclear force in general.
So, while she might be expensive, the Columbia-class seems like a needed piece of America’s nuclear arsenal, even though the total lifetime cost of these boats for building and maintenance is now $348 billion.
Author Bio: Christian P. Martin
Christian P. Martin is a Michigan-based writer; he earned a Master’s degree in Defense & Strategic Studies (Summa cum laude) from the University of Texas, El Paso. Currently, he is a research assistant at the Asia Pacific Security Innovation Forum. Concerning writing, he has published several dozen articles in places like Simple Flying, SOFREP, SOF News, and The Collector.
