GAO reports U.S. Navy spent $3.4 billion maintaining idled submarines over past decade

The short version

• A Government Accountability Office report found the U.S. Navy spent $3.4 billion over the last decade on attack submarines awaiting maintenance.
• Shipyard and dry dock bottlenecks caused more than 15,000 lost operational days and could add another $3.1 billion in future idle costs as boats await decommissioning.
• Submarines must remain staffed to safely manage their nuclear reactors until dry docks are available to defuel them, though the Navy is trialing reduced crew sizes and training roles.
• While active maintenance wait times temporarily dropped to zero in January, long-term decommissioning delays are projected to increase.

Key facts

• The U.S. Navy spent $3.4 billion over the past decade on attack submarines sitting idle while waiting for maintenance, according to a Government Accountability Office report.[Jalopnik]
• Backlogs at dry docks and shipyards could result in an additional $3.1 billion in spending while retired submarines wait for decommissioning.[Jalopnik]
• The operational capacity lost to active idle time over the past decade exceeded 15,000 submarine operational days.[Jalopnik]
• Docked submarines must keep crews on board to manage nuclear reactors until the vessels can be moved into a dry dock for defueling.[Jalopnik]
• The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Pasadena entered inactive idle status in January 2025 and is scheduled for decommissioning in November 2028, with the Navy using it as a training platform at an estimated cost of $300 million.[Jalopnik]
• In January, the Navy recorded zero active idle submarines for the first time since 2013.[Jalopnik]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• U.S. Navy Spent $3.4 Billion On Idled Submarines, Could Spend Another $3.1 Billion Waiting To Decommission MoreJalopnik