The United States’ nuclear-powered submarines are crucial to its military strength and its ability to deter adversaries such as China. In 2021, the Biden administration signed a historic partnership known as AUKUS with Australia and the United Kingdom, leading to increased information and technology sharing among the three countries. The U.S. promised to share nuclear submarine technology with Australia and sell several nuclear-powered attack submarines, but there is a problem – the U.S. is facing a shortage of submarines. The shipbuilding industry is behind schedule, and Senator Roger Wicker has been raising concerns about how the U.S. will meet its commitments to Australia.
Wicker believes that China is preparing for war, specifically with the United States, and that the AUKUS deal will help prevent such a conflict. He has been advocating for strengthening the U.S. industrial base, inserting funding into the national security supplemental to jumpstart shipbuilding efforts. The Navy currently lacks 17 attack submarines as per requirements, with the need to build 2.33 Virginia-class submarines per year to meet AUKUS commitments. Raven, the U.S. Navy Under Secretary, explained that demand for submarines has increased significantly, and efforts are being made to recruit 100,000 Americans to work in the submarine industry.
The U.S. Navy is partnering with private industry, state and local governments, community colleges, and non-profits to address the submarine shortage. BlueForge Alliance, a non-profit, has been tasked with helping the Navy hire 100,000 Americans to meet the workforce needs of the industry. This recruitment drive is portrayed as an opportunity for Americans to have high-paying, purposeful, long-term jobs that serve the country. Raven emphasized the importance of having a strong submarine industrial base to counter China’s naval capabilities and maintain the U.S.’s advantage in submarine warfare.
Admiral John Aquilino, U.S. Pacific Commander, has warned of China’s capability to invade Taiwan by 2027, highlighting the importance of submarines in maintaining peace globally. The U.S. Navy’s advanced submarines allow it to operate unchallenged around the world, providing a significant advantage. Despite reports of China building a “Great Underwater Wall” to monitor submarine activity, Raven expressed confidence in the capabilities of the U.S. submarine force to handle any challenge. Building and operating submarines are seen as crucial to staying ahead of China, with opportunities available for Americans in various roles within the industry.
In the face of increasing demand for submarines and the need to maintain an advantage over China, the U.S. is working to strengthen its submarine industrial base and recruit more Americans to work in the sector. The campaign to hire 100,000 Americans in the submarine industry is seen as an opportunity for individuals to have purposeful, well-paying jobs that contribute to national security. Raven emphasized the importance of a strong industrial base to ensure the U.S. maintains its dominance in submarine warfare and continues to uphold peace globally. Efforts are being made to address the submarine shortage and build a workforce capable of meeting the challenges posed by rising geopolitical tensions.